The acclaimed performer has expressed immense pride in his daughter, with whom he has joined forces on musical projects, allowing them to share both artistic and emotional journeys. Alongside her, he is also the proud father of a young son.
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is a devoted father to two children from different relationships. His oldest child, who has faced criticism for her weight, was born during a pivotal time in his life—when he was serving time in prison. Reflecting on her impact, Jelly Roll has shared that her arrival profoundly “changed” his perspective and path.
The country music star’s life took a significant turn when his daughter, Bailee Ann, was born on May 22, 2008, while he was incarcerated at 23 for drug dealing. Struggling with despair, he recalled the moment a guard informed him of her birth, saying, “I have to figure this out right now.”
Though his focus on music and time in prison strained his relationship with Bailee’s mother, Felicia, her arrival became the catalyst for his journey toward change.
Jelly Roll at the 59th Academy of Country Music awards on May 16, 2024, in Frisco, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
Initially seeing fatherhood as another mistake, Jelly Roll’s perspective shifted after Bailee’s birth, inspiring him to seek self-improvement. Transferring to an education unit while incarcerated, he pursued his GED despite minimal schooling. To his surprise, he passed on the first try, saying, “I thought I was learning disabled. I walked in there and smacked that [expletive] out of the park.”
After his release, Jelly Roll worked to rebuild his relationship with Bailee, finally meeting her on her second birthday. Meanwhile, Felicia battled addiction that began with painkillers and escalated to heroin by age 24.
Her use progressed from snorting to injecting, with each method affecting her behavior differently. Despite their challenges, Jelly Roll and Felicia eventually established a co-parenting agreement for Bailee’s well-being.
Jelly Roll at the Spotify Best New Artist Party on February 1, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
By 2017, the rapper and his wife, Bunnie XO, had gained custody of Bailee, providing her with a stable home. Jelly Roll credits his spouse, whom he married in 2016, as instrumental in the process, calling her “a beacon of change in my life.”
