Jelly Roll, the бывший хип-хоп исполнитель turned country music sensation, has captured attention not only for his powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics but also for his extensive and very visible tattoos, including prominent pieces on his face. While his ink is a defining part of his public image, the “Son of a Sinner” singer recently revealed a surprising sentiment: he deeply regrets the vast majority of his tattoos.
Jelly Roll performing live, showcasing his face and neck tattoos.
In a candid video interview with GQ, Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, didn’t hold back on his true feelings about his body art. “I regret 98% of these tattoos, 97%. Almost all of them,” he confessed. For someone whose face is adorned with such noticeable markings, this admission is quite striking. He elaborated, explaining that many of his tattoos reflect philosophies he held as a teenager, a stark contrast to his perspective as he approaches 40. This sentiment resonates with many who got inked young, only to find their tastes and life views evolving over time.
Jelly Roll’s journey is a fascinating example of how personal expression through tattoos can evolve and sometimes lead to regret. He humorously pointed to a tattoo of a “baby smoking a blunt” as perhaps “a little excessive,” showcasing a self-awareness and comedic take on some of his more questionable youthful decisions etched in ink. This honesty offers a relatable perspective on the permanence of tattoos and the sometimes-unpredictable nature of personal growth.
He further detailed the efforts he’s undertaken to rectify some of his less-loved pieces, mentioning a large Nashville skyline tattoo on his neck as a cover-up. The original tattoo beneath it read “Surviving The Struggle,” but a spelling error turned “struggle” into “sruggle,” highlighting the potential pitfalls of impulsive ink decisions. This anecdote serves as a cautionary tale for those considering spontaneous tattoos, emphasizing the importance of careful planning and choosing reputable artists.
When it comes to his face tattoos, Jelly Roll recalls a small cross under his left eye as possibly his first facial piece. However, it’s the prominent cross on his right cheek that holds deeper meaning. He described it as symbolic of a “new beginning,” representing his understanding of “bearing his own cross” and personal responsibility. This juxtaposition of regrettable and meaningful face tattoos illustrates the complex and often contradictory nature of tattoo stories.
Close-up of Jelly Roll's "blunt baby" tattoo, part of his collection he openly regrets.
Jelly Roll also spoke about acquiring “tons” of tattoos during periods of incarceration. He acknowledged the presence of skilled tattoo artists within the prison system but humorously lamented his limited resources, trading coffee cans instead of cigarettes for ink. One memorable prison tattoo he mentioned is a stick-and-poke Jesus on his back, which his wife initially mistook for Elvis Presley, adding another layer of humor to his tattoo narrative.
Today, Jelly Roll’s tattoo approach has shifted significantly. He primarily focuses on cover-ups and “tour tattoos,” opting for matching designs with friends or colleagues as a bonding experience. This reflects a move towards more considered and less impulsive tattoo decisions.
For those contemplating their first tattoo, the singer offers valuable advice rooted in his own experiences: “Find incredible tattoo artists, pay the money, and take your time, and let them build something for you that’s beautiful.” This wisdom underscores the importance of investing in quality artistry and thoughtful design, lessons learned from a career of tattoo regrets and cover-ups.
Jelly Roll’s story provides a unique perspective on face tattoos and tattoo culture. While face tattoos can be a powerful form of self-expression and a bold statement, his candid reflections remind us that tattoos are permanent decisions with potentially evolving personal meanings. His journey serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the ever-changing nature of personal identity, inked onto the skin.
