The country star, 40, is making major waves—and now, he’s stepping into uncharted territory as American Idol’s first-ever “Artist in Residence” for Season 23. Fans were left speechless by the announcement, but that’s just the beginning. With big surprises brewing behind the scenes, Jelly Roll is about to unleash a game-changing impact that could rewrite the show’s legacy in ways no one ever expected.

Fans were thrilled when ABC announced in February 2025 that country superstar and former “American Idol” guest mentor Jelly Roll would join season 23 as the show’s first-ever artist-in-residence. But during the first two weeks of audition episodes since the March 9 premiere, there have been no Jelly Roll sightings.

So, when will the “Hard Fought Hallelujah” singer begin appearing on the show and what will his role entail? Here’s what we know.

ABCJelly Roll sat with Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan during the April 8, 2024, episode of “American Idol,” on which he was a guest mentor
Jelly Roll was a huge hit with “American Idol” fans and producers when he appeared as a guest mentor during season 22, helping contestants prepare for their performances at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. There were so many calls for him to become a regular on the show, that ABC created a role for him on season 23.

The network announced in February that the Nashville-based rapper-turned-country superstar, who cleaned up his life after spending time in his teens and early 20s in prison, would become “a permanent fixture this season and will work closely with the Idol hopefuls, giving them firsthand advice on how to navigate the journey.”

“Dude, I’m such a fan,” he told “Entertainment Tonight” on March 3. “That’s how I got the job. Just fanning my way into the job was proving how much I know and love about ‘American Idol.’”

On March 6, Jelly Roll said on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast that he would not appear in the audition episodes, which were filmed in the fall of 2024 with  Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and new judge Carrie Underwood handing a golden ticket to dozens of hopefuls in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.

“I know the first three or four episodes I’m not in, because they whittle it down to the top 48 or 50 and then I come into the top 50, and start mentoring through the whole season,” he said. “So I’m going to mentor from 50  ccto whoever wins this thing.”

Jelly Roll Will Likely Begin Appearing After 1st Round of Hollywood Week

When Jelly Roll’s new role was first announced in February, Variety reported that he would begin appearing during Hollywood Week. Auditions for season 23 are scheduled to air each Sunday through March 30, with Hollywood Week kicking off the next night, on March 31.

But given that Jelly Roll said he’ll start mentoring contestants once the competition is whittled down to 50 or so singers, he may not appear on the first round of Hollywood Week. Typically, more than 100 hopefuls are sent through to Hollywood — in season 22, there were 143 — and the judges make huge cuts during the first round.

By the time Hollywood Week is over, about two dozen contestants are sent to the next round in Hawaii. Jelly Roll filmed with contestants there, but the singers also worked with two celebrity guest mentors — Ashanti and Josh Groban. ABC has not announced yet when those episodes will air.

Laughing, Jelly Roll told ET that he’s hoping the role becomes permanent because he’s having so much fun.

He said, “I feel wrong that, like, they let me come on (the show), you know what I mean? Like, I can’t believe they let me do that on TV. It’s crazy.”