As if Jelly Roll needed to give fans one more reason to love his outgoing, uplifting personality, the country superstar and first-ever Artist-in-Residence on “American Idol” has melted hearts again.
This time, it’s with a new video from his visit with young patients at Nashville’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Uploaded to social media on March 13, 2025, the video shows Jelly Roll spending time at the hospital’s Seacrest Studios, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest’s nonprofit.
In the caption of his video, Jelly Roll wrote, “Man did those kids bring their A-game with the questions! It truly was an honor to see the incredible work being done over there, the little fighters have got so much heart and determination it’s inspiring. Much love to all the kids and the amazing staff for the difference y’all are making over there.”
Jelly Roll Says He Only Sees ‘Spirits of Warriors’ Around Him at Children’s Hospital
Seacrest has established 14 broadcast studios in children’s hospitals across the U.S. designed to give young patients a place to experiment with radio, television and new media as they receive treatment. The studios also invite celebrities for exclusive interviews and to meet young patients.
The video Jelly Roll posted showed a montage of him greeting and joking around with young patients, as well as signing photos, singing, and posing for pictures.
“We got a bunch of rock stars here,” the singer said as he sat down for a chat with some of the kids, whom he encouraged to lean on each other and have share their genuine feelings with each other.
“It’s always important to connect,” he said. “Y’all hang out with each other. Y’all tell each other when you’re having a bad day. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘Man, I don’t feel good today.’ I mean, it helps.”
“But it’s also important to go around and tell ’em when you feel great,” he added, “’cause it might make somebody who don’t feel good feel a little better, you know what I mean?”
“I’m cheering for y’all,” Jelly Roll told the kids and families. “All I see is the spirits of warriors around me and I am just honored to be with y’all today. I love y’all so much.”
A mom whose child is a patient at Vanderbilt’s children’s hospital wrote in the comments, “We got to meet you on your way out. You were so incredibly kind to stop and talk to my daughter! Thank you for taking the time to speak with her. It meant the world to us!”
Seacrest thanked Jelly Roll for taking time visiting the hospital by commenting, “The best. Thanks for stopping by and creating such a memorable day!”
Fans Were Touched by Jelly Roll’s Hospital Visit, But He Says It Was a Gift to Be There
Fans and friends flooded the comment section of Jelly Roll’s post with praise, inspired by the way he connected with and comforted the kids he met at Seacrest Studios. Comments ranged from calling him “one of the most amazing humans to walk the earth” to celebrating his “global sized heart.” Even his wife, BunnieXO wrote, “Earth Angel 💫”
His friend Jd Delay, a recovery coach, wrote, “Everywhere this man goes, he spreads love and kindness!”
While climbing the charts with one country hit after another, Jelly Roll has also become known for the time and attention he gives to those who need a little inspiration, from inmates to recovering addicts to the contestants on “American Idol.” But while at Seacrest Studios, he said that he thinks he gets more out of visits than the people he meets.
“I’m gonna give y’all a trick that a lot of people probably don’t talk about,” Jelly Roll said. “But we come to places like this thinking we’re gonna encourage, and we leave encouraged. There’s no greater display of bravery and boldness than these families here, watching them laugh at each other and tell jokes. It’s something I think that we could all learn from.”
“Maybe selfishly I’m here for me more than I am for them,” he admitted.
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Jelly Roll Inspires During Emotional Children’s Hospital Visit: ‘Earth Angel’ (VIDEO)