‘The American Dream Should Be For Everybody’: Jelly Roll Completes ‘Kimmel’ Hosting Stint With Rousing Monologue
Jelly Roll used his final night guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live to set out his views on politics and opportunity, saying the “American dream” should be available to everyone. He said he had delayed speaking after the 2026 Grammys because he feared his comments would be treated as a partisan statement, but felt people had already made assumptions about his beliefs.
The singer, who won three Grammys in February, said he had only gained the right to vote in March and intended to use it in the November midterm elections. Referring to his past as a convicted felon and his own recovery, he described himself as a man of second chances; his recent jokes about Donald Trump’s weight had also drawn criticism from conservative commentators and a Florida congressman.
- Jelly Roll used Kimmel to explain his delayed political comments.
- He said everyone should have access to the American dream.
- He plans to vote in November’s midterm elections.
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Jelly Roll is an American singer whose music draws on country, rap and rock. He has spoken openly about a difficult past, including drug addiction, time in prison and becoming a convicted felon, before building a successful music career.
In the United States, some people with felony convictions lose the right to vote, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the state. Regaining that right can be an important symbol of returning to civic life after a conviction.
The American Dream is a common phrase for the idea that anyone can improve their life through hard work and opportunity. It is often used in political debates about jobs, education, poverty, immigration and whether people are given fair chances to succeed.