Jelly Roll expressed gratitude for the “dream come true” moment he experienced alongside his wife, Bunnie XO, and daughter, Bailee Ann, during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2024 with Ryan Seacrest on Sunday evening (Dec. 31). The moment, one he admitted he’d “cherish forever,” was having his family by his side to witness the iconic ball drop in New York City’s Times Square
Jelly Roll Shares “Dream Come True” Moment In Times Square With Wife And Daughter
The genre-bending star took to social media on the first day of the New Year (2024) to share a photo of the unforgettable evening alongside an emotional message reflecting on the experience.
“I’ll try to make this short… When I was growing up, Nashville was a really small town. Like 1/6 of what it is now. And even though Nashville was a party town even back then, we didn’t have a big New Year’s Eve scene when I was a kid,” he explained. “And my daddy would always say ‘we don’t go out and drink with the amateurs on holidays’ so we always stayed in, and back then especially, just like the rest of the world our eyes would be glued to BALL in Time Square.”
Unforgettable Moment Shared With His Family On New Year’s Eve
Jelly Roll went on to detail that he grew up watching New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with his family, and being able to be there and perform on the show was beyond his wildest dreams.
“I have literally watched dozens of Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve. Even a few of New Years that Bunnie and I have been together, we gave watched this show. And both talked about how much it meant to our childhood,” the Antioch native continued. “To get the call to not only be a participant in it, but to also be able to bring my family, was something I will cherish forever. I got to watch the Ball drop in the middle of Time Square standing next to my Daughter, Wife, Ryan Seacrest and LL Cool J on National Television. Things I never even dreamed could happen. What a beautiful night.”
He concluded his post by sharing, “Happy New Years, Everybody. My prayer is we all act out of more love and compassion this year.”
Jelly Roll’s New Year’s Eve Performance
Bunnie XO, who is the host of the Dumb Blonde Podcast, was on hand to introduce Jelly Roll to the stage on the most-watched New Year’s Eve special in America, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, alongside nineteen-time host and executive producer Ryan Seacrest. Wearing a black jacket paying tribute to his daughter Bailee Ann and his dedicated fan base, known as the Bad Apples, Jelly Roll commanded the stage.
“New Year’s Eve in New York City is a dream come true, baby!” Jelly Roll shouted as he took the stage. Live from Times Square in New York City, the chart-topping singer/songwriter performed a mashup featuring his latest single, “Halfway To Hell” and his chart-topping hit, “NEED A FAVOR” as confetti showered the audience. He also surprised viewers across the world with a special performance of “Wild Ones,” a collaboration he shares with fast-rising star, Jessie Murph.
“What A Crazy Dream Come True.”
After Jelly Roll’s performance, Ryan Seacrest joined him on stage to talk about his whirlwind of a year and going into 2024 as a GRAMMY nominated artist. The pair also talked about his dream come true performance on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
“I’ve been watching this show since I was a kid, and to be standing up here next to Ryan Seacrest on New Year’s Eve in New York City. What a crazy dream come true. Going into 2024 is a Grammy nominated artist, baby!” the singer/songwriter, whose real name is Jason DeFord, told the show’s host.
Before exiting the stage, Seacrest asked Jelly Roll about doing good for the community., “Man. I believe I’ve been so blessed, and I’ve come so far that God did not bless me this much, not to be a blessing baby. So as long as I’m blessed, I will bless.”