Formerly Jason DeFord, the country music star reflects on his past as a drug dealer and frequent jail visitor, now a successful Grammy-nominated country singer.
- Jun 14, 2024
AceShowbiz - In an interview on "The Howard Stern Show", Jelly Roll confessed to his ineptitude as a criminal, admitting that he had been arrested 47 times. Despite claiming to be the "worst drug dealer" and "worst criminal ever," Jelly recounted an incident that illustrated his unsuitability for the criminal world.
At the age of 15, under the influence of Xanax, Jelly attempted to flee after police pulled over the car he was in. However, due to his drug-induced slow reflexes, he stumbled after only two steps. The officer, feeling pity, did not charge Jelly for attempting to escape.
"My successfulness of running from the police is zero and 20," the "Need a Favor" singer shared. "But I was probably 15 years old, and I got arrested once, and I was on a Xanax bar - Howard, [I've] never told this story, but you know how Xanax make you a little slow anyways?"
He added, "In my mind, when the police pulled us over, I was like, ‘I’m just gonna run.’ So I opened the door, and in my mind, I jumped out and sprinted across a field and almost made it. I was so fat and Xanaxed out, I stood out and got two steps."
In the documentary "Rebel Country," Jelly visited his former detention center, recalling his frequent encounters with the law. He spent eight of his teenage years incarcerated and expressed remorse for his past decisions.
Jelly credits his newfound success as a country music star with giving him a sense of purpose that his criminal past could not. He has become an advocate for anti-fentanyl legislation, using his platform to raise awareness and help others avoid the dangers of substance abuse.
