Jelly Roll has revealed that he reached an emotional breaking point during the Australia leg of his recent international tour, describing it as one of the most difficult periods he has experienced in years — a struggle intensified by being thousands of miles away from his family and support system.

The 40-year-old country star, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, opened up about his mental and physical challenges during an appearance on the “No Filter with Kate Langbroek” podcast. According to the singer, the extended distance from home — and the unexpected emotional weight that came with it — pushed him into a vulnerable state he had not anticipated.

“I’m falling apart,” he admitted. “It’s been a horrible week. I’m doing the worst mentally I’ve done in a long time.” (Source: New York Post)

Jelly Roll went on to say that the sense of isolation hit him harder than expected. “I’m really far from home, and it’s hitting me in an anxious way. I’m not having fun, and I want to go home.”

A Debut Run Marked by Strain

The Grammy-nominated artist performed six shows across Australia from Oct. 25 to Nov. 4 — his first-ever tour in the country — before a scheduled final performance in Auckland, New Zealand, on Nov. 8. However, the final show was abruptly canceled due to illness, marking a rare case of the usually resilient performer missing an event. (Billboard reported that Jelly Roll typically prioritizes never canceling shows unless absolutely necessary.)

While speaking on the podcast, he explained that his physical illness had a cascading effect on his mental health. He described the travel schedule as “brutal,” noting that the journey “messed my stomach up,” which then disrupted his overall emotional clarity.

“When my stomach’s not right, nothing’s right. My mind’s not right. Everything feels off,” he said.

Isolation and Logistical Challenges

Jelly Roll also revealed that the tour’s logistics created an unexpected layer of loneliness. Because traditional tour buses are not commonly used in Australia, the artist said he found himself spending long periods in hotel rooms without his team or family nearby.

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

According to People magazine, Jelly Roll has spoken frequently about how central his family — especially wife Bunnie XO and their daughter — is to his stability and emotional well-being, making the separation particularly difficult.

He shared that he had been using breathing techniques to stay grounded and “talking myself through” his anxiety while fighting illness, but he admitted that every instinct in him wanted to fly home to Tennessee.

“Everybody wants to go home when they’re sick. That’s just in us,” he said. “I just don’t feel good, so I just want to go home.”

A Tense Incident in Sydney

The challenging tour was further compounded by a negative shopping experience in Australia. Earlier this month, Jelly Roll posted a video claiming that Louis Vuitton employees in Sydney treated him “like a criminal,” saying staff watched him suspiciously during his visit.

“Hey man, the Louis Vuitton in Sydney legitimately treated us like we were gonna rob the place,” he said. “I’ve never been looked at more like a criminal.”

Rolling Stone noted that Jelly Roll’s reaction reflects long-standing frustrations he has expressed about being judged for his appearance or his past — something he continues to discuss openly with fans.

A Troubled Past He Doesn't Hide

The “Save Me” singer has always been candid about his troubled youth and history with the law. He has previously spoken about being arrested at age 16 and charged as an adult with aggravated robbery and possession with intent to distribute. He ultimately spent more than a year in jail, followed by seven years of probation. (People, Variety)

Jelly Roll has said in multiple interviews that his difficult past drives his music and fuels his desire to help at-risk youth, an effort recognized when he testified before the U.S. Congress in 2023 on issues related to fentanyl and addiction. (CBS News)

Despite the challenges of the tour, the singer emphasized that he remains grateful for his international fans and hopes to return to Australia under better circumstances. For now, he says his priority is rest, recovery, and reconnecting with his family after a demanding emotional journey.