Jelly Roll is slowly taking over the world. The East Tennessee-born hitmaker won over legions of fans with his 2023 country debut, Whitsitt Chapel. His star has only continued ascending as ESPN tapped him for this year’s College GameDay anthem. Recently, Jelly (aka Jason DeFord) announced another career milestone—and it’s a huge one.
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Jelly Roll Will Kick Off ‘SNL’ Landmark Season
The late-night sketch comedy variety show Saturday Night Live has been a cultural staple since George Carlin hosted the October 1975 premiere. This year, the show enters its watershed 50th season—and Jelly Roll will be there. The country hitmaker makes his SNL debut during the Sept. 28 premiere, with “Hacks” star Jean Smart hosting.
Taking to social media to announce the performance, the “Liar” singer could scarcely believe his fortune. “BRB going to cry for a few hours and call every family member I have,” he wrote in the caption. “Bringing therapeutic music to my favorite show ever. God is Good.”
The comments section was full of fans expressing their excitement for Jelly Roll. “Dawg! This is it! The pinnacle!” one friend wrote. “Incredible my bro! Congratulations in the realest way!”
One X/Twitter user added, “You’re only going HIGHER!!!!”
Could This Signal a Career Shift?
No word on if Jelly Roll will star in any sketches during his SNL debut. However, the GRAMMY nominee has previously hinted that he would like to segue into television.
Recently, Jelly brought viewers to tears with a heartfelt rendition of “I Am Not Okay” during the “In Memoriam” segment of the 76th Emmy Awards. And he revealed after the ceremony that he’s already plotting his TV career so he can return.
[RELATED: Country Star Jelly Roll Tapped for Paramount+ Crime Drama]
“It’s crazy, man,” Jelly told People. “I want to be in a TV show now so I can come here every year, dude. I’m calling all my country music friends and telling them ‘we are missing the mark, dude, we gotta be at the Emmys.’”
The “Son of a Sinner” singer called the experience “an honor,” referring to the nominees “as some of the greatest storytellers in the business, ever.”
“I’m a storyteller in my own regard and I think it’s really cool that in a room full of storytellers, we’re going to use music as a moment to honor some of them and hopefully help,” he said.
Featured image by David Fisher/Shutterstock
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