Jason Bradley DeFord, known by his stage name Jelly Roll, candidly discussed his early experiences with substance abuse during a recent interview. Many were surprised to learn that he attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting when he was just 14 years old.
In the October 10 episode of The Highway show on SiriusXM with Ania Hammar, Jelly Roll shared, “I was court-ordered at like 14.” He admits he doesn’t recall much of the initial meeting but remembers finding comfort in the space. “I’ve taken a lot from those rooms,” he noted.
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Jelly Roll explained that attending meetings remains important to him, saying, “It’s hard to break away from those drugs. I may not be a traditional sober guy, but I still go to meetings. I just sit quietly, appreciating the messages shared.” He suggests that even those who haven’t struggled with addiction should attend a meeting, stating, “I think everyone can learn something valuable from it—it’s like good theater; you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll grow.”
In a prior interview with The New York Times, he revealed that some of his songs, like “I Am Not Okay” and “Winning Streak” from his album Beautifully Broken, draw inspiration from his experiences in AA and NA meetings.
In a December 2023 chat with People, Jelly Roll elaborated on his journey, stating he’s moved away from drugs and now only drinks for special occasions.