Country music star shares struggles during tour — ‘I want to go home’

Country musician Jelly Roll has shared his struggles during his recent tour stops in Australia.

The musician appeared on an episode of “No Filter with Kate Langbroek” in which he talked about the toll the tour is taking on his mental health.

“I’m falling apart. It’s a horrible week. I’m doing the worst mentally I’ve done in a long time,” he said. “I’m really far from home and it’s really hitting me that I’m really far from home, like in an anxious way… I’m not having fun and I want to go home.”

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, performed six shows in Australia from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4. He was slated to perform in Auckland, New Zealand, on Nov. 8 but canceled due to illness, according to People.

DeFord said that the tour abroad had “[expletive] my stomach up,” leading to a decline in his mental health.

“I naturally have an uneasy stomach,” he said. “When my stomach’s not right, nothing is right. My mind’s not right, I’m just not thinking clear. All I’m thinking bout right now is ‘why does my stomach feel like this?’”

He also said that another factor for his struggles during the tour was the lack of a tour bus for transportation, which has been a social outlet for him in the past.

“I’m having to be super isolated. I don’t like it,” he said. “I’m like, spending a lot of time in my hotel room by myself, just in my head. I don’t like it. I miss my family a ton.”

DeFord is known for his songs “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.” He was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards after a breakout year in 2023.

DeFord is scheduled to perform next in Mexico City on Nov. 15.