Jelly Roll says he is ready to leave the United States and move to the United Kingdom after facing growing backlash over his recent controversial remarks.
The country singer made the comments during a new podcast appearance, where he opened up about the criticism he has received since joking about President Donald Trump during his guest-hosting stint on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
What started as a few jokes has turned into a much larger controversy for Jelly Roll. Some fans have threatened to stop listening to his music, while several critics in the country music world have accused him of moving too far into politics. The backlash has also led to calls for artists and organizations to distance themselves from him.
Jelly Roll said he believes the reaction has been completely unfair.
“I didn’t make any mistake. Those were just some jokes, and people started canceling me. It’s like they don’t respect me anymore,” Jelly said.
The singer went on to say that he feels particularly frustrated after spending years building his career and connecting with American audiences.
“This is what you get after serving your country for all these years. One joke, and you’re canceled and immediately disrespected,” Jelly added.
Jelly Roll’s comments come as the controversy surrounding him continues to grow. He recently defended his decision to make political jokes and said that presidents should be able to take criticism. He also described himself as someone who leans left on some issues but is generally “pretty down the middle.”
That explanation has done little to calm the reaction from some country music fans.
Florida Rep. Jimmy Patronis has publicly criticized Jelly Roll, saying the singer is not welcome in Florida’s Panhandle. Country music figures have also weighed in, while John Rich warned that Jelly Roll could potentially lose a significant portion of his audience by becoming more political.
Jelly Roll now says he is considering starting a new chapter outside the United States.
“I hear the U.K. is nice this time of year. I’ve applied for a visa and wish to leave as soon as possible. I hope I get the respect I deserve there,” Jelly said.
The statement quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the podcast, with listeners debating whether the singer was serious about leaving or simply expressing his frustration with the backlash.
Moving to another country would obviously represent a dramatic change for Jelly Roll, who has built much of his career around his American identity, country music roots and connection with U.S. fans.
For now, there is no indication that Jelly Roll has actually finalized plans to leave the country. His comments, however, make clear that he believes the current situation has reached a point where he is looking elsewhere for a fresh start.
Jelly Roll has yet to provide further details about his reported visa application or when he would leave the United States.
For a singer who recently found himself at the center of a political controversy over a few jokes, the idea of moving across the Atlantic may be the biggest sign yet of just how far the backlash has gone.