Jelly Roll Signs Deal To Be First ‘American Idol’ Artist-in-Residence

Jelly Roll says he was stopped by US Coast Guard on Lake Erie following Ohio festival

There will be a new face in a key role on American Idol when season 23 premieres next month. (It kicks off on ABC on Sunday, March 9.) Jelly Roll has just inked a deal to be the show’s first artist-in-residence, per Variety.

It won’t be the first time the popular singer has stepped in the Idol stage. He was a performer and a mentor to the young singing aspirants last season when Idol made a stop at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i. Jelly Roll’s responsibilities will reportedly include advising the contestants about handling their Idol experience successfully.

The other notable change at Idol is the addition of Carrie Underwood to the judges’ table. She replaces Katy Perry and will take her seat next to judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

He Sounds Jubilant About His New TV Gig


Jelly Roll happily posted on Instagram, “Had to lift up @ryanseacrest just like I’m gonna lift up the @americanidol hopefuls! ? Honored to be Idol’s first-ever ARTIST IN RESIDENCE—mentoring with heart, soul, and real experience! ?? I join the show during Hollywood Week, watch it all starting March 9 on ABC & streaming on Hulu! #americanidol”

We can’t wait to see him!

Jelly Roll Has A Red-Hot Career Going

Per the outlet, in 2024, Jelly Roll “released his latest album ‘Beautifully Broken,’ which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned critical raves. In 2023, he released the album ‘Whitsitt Chapel’ to top sales.”

His single, “Save Me,” went platinum per the RIAA and that’s not all. The song stayed atop Billboard‘s Emerging Artists chart for a staggering 28 weeks. According to the outlet, “…[I]t also won an ACM award for Music Event of the year. That additionally led to the ABC News documentary ‘Save Me.'”

Jelly Roll, 40, has earned multiple Grammy nominations – two this year and two last year – plus other major accolades. He was named Male Country Artist of the Year by the People’s Choice Awards, got a trio of prestigious honors two years ago at the CMT Music Awards, and landed Billboard‘s Breakthrough Award in 2023.