Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The country artist shares insights with PEOPLE about raising his 16-year-old daughter, Bailee.
Jelly Roll was only 14 when he was first arrested, but he’s not concerned that his 16-year-old daughter, Bailee, will follow in his footsteps.
In this week’s cover story, the Grammy-nominated artist, 39, shares with PEOPLE the meaningful conversations he has with Bailee, including a recent talk where he emphasized his belief in her potential.
“I told her, ‘I don’t judge you by what you do. I judge you by what I know you’re capable of,’” Jelly Roll recalls. “‘You’re so much smarter than I was at 16. You’re emotionally more intelligent, and you can read a room much better. So don’t try to talk your way out of trouble by using my past against me, Miss Sassy.’”
Jelly, who also has an 8-year-old son named Noah, believes Bailee is well ahead of where he was at her age and is confident she has a bright future ahead of her.
“When I look at the things she does that I think are bad, I remember what I was doing at 16 and think, ‘Wow…’ When I’m hard on her or a little tough, she knows it’s out of love,” Jelly Roll shares.
The “Winning Streak” artist and his wife, Bunnie Xo, have had full custody of Bailee since 2017, following her mother’s struggles with drug addiction. (Jelly has since mentioned that Bailee and her mom are working to rebuild their relationship.)
Despite the challenges, Jelly and Bailee remain close, with Bailee by his side earlier this month during his performance at the 2024 CMA Awards. Jelly, who was incarcerated when Bailee was born, has said her birth was a pivotal moment in his life.
“We were really close before everything went downhill, but she understands how what I’m doing now benefits her future and the family’s future,” Jelly Roll explains. “She’s a solid kid. She’s been at the same public school district for 10 years and has had the same friends since me and Bunnie gained custody. I believe that consistency has played a big part in her stability.”
Bailee recently appeared on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast, where she shared her aspirations of attending Columbia University after high school to pursue a career as a criminal defense lawyer.
“That’s where I want to go, and I want to study law. As for music, I’m not focused on it right now,” she said.
The 16-year-old also shared that most of her classmates have gotten used to her famous father.
“We’re all pretty much used to it,” she explained. “He’s come to football games and things like that, so I think everyone’s moved past the ‘Oh my God’ phase. Also, people kind of know not to mess with me. I’m not the one. So it’s pretty easy. The only challenge is making new friends, but I just don’t bother with that anymore.”