Country music star Jelly Roll, known for his raw lyrics and distinctive appearance, is candidly reflecting on his past tattoo choices, especially those adorning his face. In a recent interview, the 39-year-old singer didn’t hold back when discussing his extensive ink, admitting that regret overshadows his earlier enthusiasm for tattoos. “I regret 98% of these tattoos, 97, almost all of them,” Jelly Roll confessed to GQ, a sentiment that resonates deeply when considering the prominent placement of some of his most visible tattoos. He questions the impulsive decisions of his younger self, stating, “Like core philosophies are rooted in my life when I was 17 and now I’m 40, I’m like, ‘What the f— was I thinking?'” His journey with tattoos began at the young age of 14 with a simple cross, but it quickly escalated to include a full spectrum of designs across his body and, notably, his face.
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For Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, some of these indelible marks were acquired during periods of incarceration. Having been jailed approximately 40 times on drug-related charges, tattoos became a form of expression and perhaps a way to pass time within the prison walls. However, as he matured and his life path shifted dramatically with his music career taking off, his perspective on these permanent reminders of his past evolved. His honesty extends beyond general tattoo regret to specific designs, including what he deems his “least favorite tattoo”: a depiction of a baby smoking a blunt. He acknowledges the design was “a little excessive,” showcasing a sense of humor about his past choices while still recognizing their problematic nature.
The journey of tattoo regret isn’t just a matter of internal reflection for Jelly Roll; it has also led to active steps towards modification. He has undergone “extensive cover-ups” to try and rectify some of his less-than-ideal ink decisions. One particularly humorous anecdote involves a neck tattoo intended to say “Surviving the Struggle,” which unfortunately became “Surviving the Sruggle” due to a misspelling. This highlights the risks and potential pitfalls of impulsive tattoo decisions, especially in highly visible areas like the neck and, by extension, the face. Another tattoo mishap he recounts is a “pick-and-poke” depiction of Jesus on his back, which his wife initially mistook for Elvis Presley, further underscoring the issues with poorly executed or ill-conceived tattoos.
Jelly Roll’s face tattoos, in particular, have become a talking point, even beyond his personal regrets. In a recent Uber Eats Super Bowl commercial, his tattoos played a central role in a humorous scenario where he is shocked to see his face covered in even more tattoos than he actually has. His initial reaction in the commercial – deeming them “horrible” and attempting to scrub them off – mirrored his real-life sentiments. Before the commercial aired, Jelly Roll admitted that there was “some truth” to his on-screen disparagement of face tattoos, stating, “I don’t think they’re great… I’ve had them so long, I forget they’re there sometimes.” This public acknowledgment, even in a lighthearted commercial context, underscores his complex relationship with his face tattoos.
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While Jelly Roll has come to terms with his past tattoo choices, even finding humor in some of the mishaps, his story serves as a cautionary tale, especially regarding face tattoos. The permanence and visibility of face tattoos mean that any regret can be amplified, impacting both personal perception and professional opportunities. For aspiring tattoo enthusiasts, Jelly Roll’s candid reflections offer a valuable lesson: consider the long-term implications of tattoo placement and design, especially when it comes to areas as prominent as the face. His journey highlights the evolving nature of personal taste and life circumstances, and how youthful impulsivity can lead to lasting, and sometimes regretted, decisions.
