Jelly Roll Opens Up About Homesickness, Illness, and Mental Struggles During His Australia Tour
A Rough End to an Overseas Run
What began as a high-energy adventure quickly turned into one of the toughest stretches of Jelly Roll’s career. The Nashville-born country-rap star had been lighting up stages across Australia, thrilling fans with his trademark warmth and humor — even partaking in local traditions like doing shoeys. But when the tour reached its final leg, things took a difficult turn.
Jelly Roll was forced to cancel his Auckland concert at the last minute — a rare move for an artist who prides himself on showing up no matter what. Fans were already inside the venue when the news broke, and Jelly took to Instagram to express his deep regret.
“Dear Auckland, I’ve done everything I can. I just can’t shake it. It breaks my heart — I’ve probably missed three shows in the last decade. I pride myself on showing up no matter what. Just couldn’t do it this time. Please forgive me.”
The heartfelt message revealed not only his illness, but also the heavy emotional toll the tour had taken.
“I’m Falling Apart”: A Brutally Honest Confession
In a candid appearance on the No Filter podcast with Kate Langbroek, Jelly Roll gave fans an unfiltered glimpse into what was really going on behind the scenes.
“I’m falling apart. It’s a horrible week. Yeah, I’m doing the worst mentally I’ve done for a long time… I’m really far from home, and it’s really hitting me — like, in an anxious way.”
The singer admitted that the long distance from his wife, family, and familiar surroundings had started to weigh heavily on him. For an artist known for his openness about mental health, this raw honesty struck a chord with listeners worldwide.
Battling His Body — and His Mind
But homesickness wasn’t the only challenge. Jelly Roll revealed that he was also dealing with severe stomach issues that had flared up during his travels.
“This trip over here f**ed my stomach up in a way it hasn’t been in a year or two. I just can’t get out of it, dude.”*
He explained that his stomach problems often spiral into mental distress:
“When my stomach’s not right, nothing is right. My mind’s not right, I can’t think clearly. All I’m thinking about is, ‘Why does my stomach feel like this?’ Even right now while we’re talking — that’s what I’m thinking about.”
Langbroek and Jelly shared a laugh over the common woes of flying — joking about how cabin pressure can make you feel like “a bag of chips ready to pop.” Jelly, in his signature unfiltered humor, added:
“When it sits against that rectum, you spend the whole day thinking you’re fixing to s** yourself, when really you’re just waiting for your body to relax enough to fart. Welcome to the No Filter podcast, everybody.”*
Loneliness on the Road
Unlike in the U.S., where artists typically travel by tour bus surrounded by crew and friends, Jelly Roll explained that in Australia he spent most of his time isolated in hotel rooms. That solitude, combined with feeling sick, deepened his mental struggle.
“I don’t like it. I don’t like spending a lot of time in my hotel room by myself; I’m in my head. I’m not having fun, I want to go home.”
The honesty resonated deeply with fans — many praising him for openly discussing the less glamorous side of life on tour.
Heading Home to Heal
Now back on his way to Tennessee, Jelly Roll says he’s ready to rest, recover, and reset. The singer has just two more tour dates left this year, leaving him time to focus on his health and spend much-needed time with his family.
Though the tour’s end was rough, his transparency about homesickness, anxiety, and physical health has once again reminded fans why Jelly Roll remains one of country music’s most relatable voices — not just for his songs, but for his humanity.
🎙️ Catch Jelly Roll’s full, unfiltered interview on the “No Filter” podcast with Kate Langbroek to hear the conversation in his own words.