Jelly Roll Admits He Would Remove 96% Of His Tattoos If He Could, Explains Meaning Behind Apple Core Face Tattoo

“Oh, 96% of them. I have more tattoo regrets than I do, ‘Man, I’m glad I got this,’” Jelly Roll admitted.

By

Melinda Lorge

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

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Posted on August 30, 2023

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Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Jelly Roll is one of the most open and honest country music artists out there. In fact, he’s not afraid to admit that he has made some mistakes and has a few regrets. And one of those regrets happens to be front and center as he shares he isn’t as thrilled over the majority of the tattoos on his body as he was when he first got them. 

While appearing on the Audacy Check In with Jason Bailey, Jelly Roll, who sports more tattoos than most artists in the country genre, was asked about his ink and whether or not he regretted getting any of it done.

Tattoo Regrets

“Oh, 96% of them. I have more tattoo regrets than I do, ‘Man, I’m glad I got this,’” Jelly Roll answered without hesitation. 

“Listen, if Ronnie Radke, who is a friend of mine, hadn’t beaten me to blacking out his arms first, I would have done the same thing,” he continued. “Have you seen his arms? Now they’re all just black ink, and he covered up every tattoo on his arms. How you think at 16 years old and how you think at 36 years old are so dramatically far apart from each other. It’s embarrassing.”

Jelly Roll; Photo Courtesy of Jake Alita
Jelly Roll; Photo Courtesy of Jake Alita

“I Hate Them”

Many of Jelly Roll’s tattoos that adorn his body are visible to the public, including a cross and a teardrop, both of which appear on his face. He also has an apple core on his left cheek and his son, Noah’s name above his eyebrow. On his arms, Jelly Roll has various imprints, which range from a skull and roses to the number 14. While many of them are personal and meaningful reflections of his past, others not so much. 

“The tour tattoos I would keep because they do have a cool story, but the rest of these are like, ‘yeah dude, I can’t believe I thought like that,’” Jelly Roll confessed, pointing out one that he feels no longer has any business being on his skin. “I’ve got a Gerber baby smoking a joint tattooed on my arm. I don’t know who authorized this in my life or who was around me at this moment, but I hate them.”

Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Apple Core Tattoo Is A Tribute To His Loyal Fans

Jelly Roll’s apple core tattoo is quite significant, however, as it represents a core group of his fanbase, who have dubbed themselves “the bad apples.” The name stuck after folks got a hold of one of Jelly Roll’s earlier songs, which found its way to YouTube and can be seen below. 

Tattoos Have Become A Signature Part Of Jelly Roll’s Appearance

Despite his regrets, Jelly Roll doesn’t really Need A Favor to remove his ink. After all, his tattoos have become a signature part of his appearance that fans seem to have grown accustomed to. And regardless of his looks, people have been moved by his strong vocals and incredible storytelling. His songs about pain and addiction have resonated with people far and wide, who are struggling with similar stories.

Jelly Roll’s latest album, WHITSITT CHAPEL, which dropped earlier this summer, debuted at the top of Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, and also at No. 2 on the Country Album chart. The album also earned Top 3 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart with 90,000 album equivalents, earning the biggest opening week for a first entry on the Top Country Albums charts since the list adopted a consumption-based methodology in 2017. 

Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Jelly Roll; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Additionally, Jelly Roll is currently on the road as part of his 44-city Backroad Baptism Tour, which features support from Ashley McBryde, Caitlynne Curtis, Chase Rice, Elle King, Merkules, Struggle Jennings, Three 6 Mafia, and Yelawolf on select dates. The tour, which launched on Friday (July 28), runs through Saturday (Oct. 14), where it will wrap in Tampa, Florida. 

For more information about Jelly Roll, including tour dates, visit his official website at www.jellyroll615.com.

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Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

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