Country music star Jelly Roll, known for his raw honesty and powerful voice, has opened up about a topic many tattooed individuals can relate to: tattoo regret. In a recent interview, the “Son of a Sinner” singer, age 39, confessed that he’s no longer a fan of most of his extensive ink collection. He humorously admitted to regretting “98%, 97, almost all of them,” reflecting on how youthful decisions don’t always align with present-day perspectives.
Jelly Roll’s tattoo journey began at the young age of 14 with a simple cross tattoo, a seemingly innocuous start that spiraled into a body adorned with numerous, now regrettable, designs. He recounted getting tattoos throughout his life, even during periods of incarceration. His past struggles, including multiple jail stints related to drug charges, are visually documented on his skin, a permanent reminder of a life he’s actively working to outgrow.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(758×123:760×125)/jelly-roll-tout-020724-b574ddc34ef7450b8742c93dfab204df.jpg)
Among the vast array of Jelly Roll Tattoos, he singled out his least favorite – a depiction of a baby smoking a blunt. He acknowledged the tattoo was “a little excessive,” showcasing his current sense of humor about his past choices. This particular tattoo exemplifies the kind of impulsive decisions made in youth that can lead to later regret.
The singer has actively sought tattoo cover-ups to rectify some of these past decisions. He shared a particularly amusing anecdote about a neck tattoo intended to say “Surviving the Struggle.” However, a misspelling resulted in “Surviving the Sruggle,” highlighting the potential pitfalls of impulsive ink. Another tattoo, a “pick-and-poke” rendition of Jesus on a cross on his back, was humorously mistaken by his wife for Elvis Presley, further illustrating the less-than-professional quality of some of his older tattoos.
Jelly Roll’s complex relationship with his tattoos even played a role in a recent Uber Eats Super Bowl commercial. In the advertisement, he humorously reacts to the shock of having his face seemingly covered in tattoos, mirroring his real-life feelings about his extensive body art. While the commercial was for comedic effect, it tapped into Jelly Roll’s genuine sentiments about his tattoos, which he has described as “horrible” in jest and admits he sometimes forgets are even there.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/Jelly-Roll-CMA-2023-110823-2a59f0fb1dbc40a189b220a19095660e.jpg)
Despite his regrets, Jelly Roll’s tattoos are undeniably part of his identity and story. They serve as a visual timeline of his life, from youthful indiscretions to his current success. His candidness about his tattoo regrets resonates with many who have experienced similar feelings, reminding us that tattoo choices, like life choices, are subject to change and reflection over time. While he may not be adding many new tattoos, Jelly Roll’s existing ink remains a conversation starter and a testament to his journey.
