Jelly Roll is heading to American Idol! The singer-songwriter will serve as a guest mentor on the upcoming season of American Idol, along with former Idol contestant, Tori Kelly.
Both Jelly Roll and Kelly will appear when the Idol contestants perform in Hawaii, at Aulani: A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina. The news was announced on social media.
Posted by Jelly Roll on Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Jelly Roll’s upcoming appearance on American Idol comes at a pivotal time in his career. The Nashville native was nominated for two Grammy Awards, and while he walked away empty-handed, being a Grammy nominee was validation enough for him.
“It’s the ultimate ultimate,” Jelly Roll told Audacy’s Katie & Company. “When you get nominated for a Grammy, every other accolade you had takes a backseat to just the nomination. You know what I mean? Like, it’s crazy that I was, in this weird way, I was only the CMA New Artist for a day, because nobody can introduce me that way. Now I’ll forever be introduced to the Grammy-nominated Jelly Roll.”
Jelly Roll was nominated for Best New Artist, and for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, for his “Save Me” collaboration with Lainey Wilson, with that trophy going to Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, for “I Remember Everything.” He was also nominated in the all-genre Best New Artist category, with that award going to Victoria Monét.
“Just so we are clear- Victoria Monèt deserved that award,” Jelly Roll said after the ceremony. “She is incredible. She has been writing hits for everyone else for a long time, and she deserves every bit of this award. We come back next year stronger more nominations – I’m inspired.”
Jelly Roll later said that, even though he didn’t win a Grammy Award, he still left feeling excited and hopeful about his future in country music.
Man I can’t quit thinking about how crazy this is all is —- the fact I just spent a week with the biggest stars on the planet is wild to me. Never how I thought this thing would shake out for me .. im inspired – I realize – maybe – just maybe with hard work – I can do even more
— Jelly Roll (@JellyRoll615) February 6, 2024
“I can’t quit thinking about how crazy this is all is —- the fact I just spent a week with the biggest stars on the planet is wild to me,” Jelly Roll said. “Never how I thought this thing would shake out for me .. I’m inspired – I realize – maybe – just maybe with hard work – I can do even more.”
No one is more surprised than Jelly Roll at how his life has turned out, from dreaming of making music while in prison, to becoming one of country music’s biggest success stories.
“To me, I’m just still me,” Jelly Roll told The New York Times. “So whatever’s actually happening in my life is what I’m putting out. I called my mother at the same time. It was me getting to call a woman I’ve called from jail. A woman I’ve called homeless, a woman I’ve called addicted. I got to call her and say I just got nominated for two Grammys. To me, that is the craziest call you can make.”
Jelly Roll just celebrated his third No. 1 single, with “Save Me.” He is back at radio with “Halfway to Hell.” Find music and tour dates at JellyRoll615.com.
