While winning awards and quickly becoming a top name in country music, Jelly Roll gained his stardom in the genre thanks to his ability to connect with fans. Having gone through years of heartbreak and pain, the singer decided to channel those feelings into his music. And always willing to share his truth, the singer struck a chord with fans thanks to songs like “I Am Not Okay.” Reassuring fans that it was okay not to be okay, Jelly Roll recently fought back tears when he noticed a young fan’s sign about the loss of her mother.
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Taking the stage at the Barefoot Country Music Festival, Jelly Roll poured his heart out on stage as he performed “I Am Not Okay.” With thousands in attendance, most sang alongside the singer. But during the performance, the cameras turned to a young girl who held up a sign reading, “Jelly Roll, my mom died last August. She wrote your lyrics in her journal. If she could, she would be here!”
Although singing to the entire crowd, Jelly Roll quickly turned his attention to the little girl, acknowledging her. As tears streamed down the little girl’s face, the singer continued to power through the lyrics, “… I am not okay/I’m barely getting by/I’m losing track of days/And losing sleep at night/I am not okay/I’m hanging on the rails/So if I say I’m fine/Just know I learned to hide it well.”
Jelly Roll Makes Sure Fan Knows She Isn’t Alone
With the video quickly going viral, fans discussed how personal the moment was to Jelly Roll and how deeply he cared for the people who supported him. “You can see the genuine empathy in his eyes and hear his voice break.. say what you want about this man but he has the biggest heart.” Another person added, “Jelly had a hard time singing when he saw her cry. That man has a huge heart that is rising in everyone’s heart!”
Able to get through “I Am Not Okay”, the little girl wasn’t alone as her little brother stood right beside her, holding her arm. Having suffered such a devastating loss, Jelly Roll offered her a powerful performance, making sure she knew it was okay not to be okay.
(Photo by Erika Goldring/WireImage)
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