Navigating the curiosity of children regarding his extensive face tattoos was a creative challenge for Jelly Roll, but overcoming the prejudices of their parents proved to be a much steeper uphill battle.
In a recent appearance on Taste of Country Nights, the genre-bending superstar looked back on the humorous, and eventually heartbreaking, ways he handled questions about his appearance when his daughter, Bailee Ann, was in kindergarten. To keep things lighthearted, he often told her classmates that the intricate designs on his skin were temporary.
“It was hilarious because all her little friends would ask, ‘What is all that stuff on your face?’” the singer shared. He would playfully retort, “You won’t believe this, but I only draw this on when I come to see you guys so you’ll get excited about it.”
As time went on, the children grew more observant, questioning how he managed to draw the exact same patterns every single day. Jelly Roll’s quick-witted response? “I told them I started using stickers because I was coming around so often.”
However, the whimsy of childhood eventually gave way to the harsh realities of social stigma. As the children matured, many of their parents began to bar them from visiting Jelly Roll’s home. The singer noted that these families often made negative assumptions about his character and “lifestyle” based solely on his facial ink.
Despite those judgmental years, Jelly Roll has successfully built a stable and loving environment for his family. He currently shares joint custody of Bailee Ann with his wife, Bunnie Xo. The artist has been candid about his past struggles with the legal system and the rigorous work he put in to prove his fitness as a father to the courts. Now 17, Bailee recently showcased their strong bond by hosting a special “prom night” for her parents, neither of whom had the opportunity to attend their own high school dances.
While his tattoos have become a signature part of his brand, the “Need a Favor” singer admits his perspective on them has shifted with age. In an interview with GQ last year, he confessed to harboring deep regrets about his body art. “I regret about 97 or 98 percent of these tattoos,” he admitted, reflecting on his 40 years of life. “I look back now and think, ‘What on earth was I thinking?’”
