Jelly Roll recalls emotional reunion with daughter Bailee Ann after being released from jail
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jelly Roll candidly spoke about the challenges he faced as a father after being released from jail, including his struggle to gain visitation rights for his daughter, Bailee Ann.
In the latest episode of the 'SmartLess' podcast, the 40-year-old country singer opened up to hosts Jason Bateman Sean Hayes and Will Arnett about his journey from incarceration to fatherhood.
Jelly Roll recalls difficult times when he 'just wanted to be a good dad'
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Speaking about the challenging time, Jelly Roll recalled, "I got home when she was almost 2."
“Her mother, at the time, because I was rightfully so a f*****g criminal, wouldn’t let me see her. So I had to go to court. I had to get supervised visits through the courtroom,” he shared.
The singer detailed the slow and steady process of regaining access to Bailee, emphasizing how he had to prove his dedication to change.
“I had to step that very slow, build a relationship, then six hours on Friday evening, but she had to be home before 10 pm. I just had to keep going to the court every six months and going, ‘Look, I’m continuing to prove I’m changing’,” he explained.
“I just wanted to be a good dad,” he said, according to People.
Jelly Roll reflects on Bailee Ann’s growth and achievements
Now, more than a decade later, Jelly Roll beams with pride when talking about Bailee Ann, who is now 17 years old.
“Fast forward, that same little girl that was born when I was incarcerated is fixing to turn 17 years old,” he said.
“She’s got one of the highest GPAs at her high school. She’s a dual enrollment kid and is a junior going to college. Me and my wife have had full custody of her for eight years. This is one of our best friends,” he added.
The country star, who is also a father to eight-year-old son Noah, credits Bailee’s birth in 2008 as a pivotal moment that motivated him to turn his life around.
At the time, he was serving time for drug-related charges.
“I could no longer be selfish. There was something that was solely relying on me,” Jelly Roll previously shared with 105.7 The Point.
“I knew that that was an important task. So I wanted to take it seriously. And I did. I take it very seriously to this day,” he said.
