Crossover country star Jelly Roll has received a full pardon from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, wiping his felony convictions from his criminal record.
As reported by the Associated Press, the singer-songwriter’s convictions on robbery and drug-related charges have been pardoned by Lee, who announced a total of 33 pardons on Thursday (Dec. 18). “His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for,” the Republican governor told reporters.
Jelly Roll’s application for a full pardon went through a lengthy review process, and the state’s parole board gave a unanimous recommendation earlier this year. Upon confirming the pardon, Lee and Jelly Roll met and hugged it out in front of a Christmas tree. In the past, Jelly Roll has made it clear that he’s looking forward to leaving his criminal past behind. He previously revealed that he was first arrested when he was just 14.
In an interview with Joe Rogan in 2023, he opened up about his criminal past and what convinced him to turn his life around. "At 16, I was charged as an adult for a charge," he said. “It was a heinous crime, admittedly. It was horrible. We robbed a couple of guys for some weed, but they called the police because we took some money and some stuff. It was an armed robbery; we went in there with a gun. I regret it every day of my life.”
Because of his conviction, it limited his ability to travel. He did, however, reveal that he fell in love with songwriting when he was behind bars. When Jelly Roll spoke with the Tennessee Board of Parole in April this year, he stressed the positive impact a full pardon could have on his life.
"I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be—to let them know that change is truly possible," Jelly Roll said. “One of the reasons I'm asking for your recommendation for this pardon is because I'm looking to take my message of redemption through the power of music and faith through the rest of the world. … I’ll still be using this same pardon, God willing, to go do missionary work in my 50s and 60s.”
Recently, Jelly Roll has spoken about his weight loss journey. On a more recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the artist suggested that, at one point, he believed he was going to die if he didn’t change his lifestyle.
"I don't think I'm making this up when I say I think I was six to 12 months away from missing it,” he told Rogan, noting that he decided to make a change before his 40th birthday. “I knew my next one was 40. … I don't think I've ever met a 500-pound 40-year-old.” He said that he’s lost over 200lbs since 2022, and that sex was a big motivator for him to lose weight.