During Season 23 of American Idol, singer and rapper Jelly Roll joined the competition as the show’s first-ever Artist in Residence. Has he earned a spot on the judging panel in a future season?
Jelly Roll Was American Idol’s Artist in Residence
Jelly Roll previously appeared on American Idol as a guest mentor during the Hawaii round in Season 22. The following season, he became a regular member of the show’s cast as the first-ever Artist in Residence.
He provided support and advice to the show’s contestants throughout the season. The role is similar to the one previously filled by radio personality Bobby Bones, although he was known as an in-house mentor.
“I’m such a fan. That’s how I got the job, was just fanning my way into the job, proving how much I know and love about American Idol,” Jelly Roll told Entertainment Tonight about his passion for the show.
When interviewer Cassie DiLaura suggested that Jelly Roll should be a judge, he said he was “just glad to be there now.” He shared his goal to sign a “lifelong contract” as the show’s permanent Artist in Residence.
Could Jelly Roll Join the Judging Panel?
Season 24 of American Idol will premiere on ABC on Monday, January 26. Judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan will be back, along with host Ryan Seacrest. However, as of this writing, Jelly Roll’s involvement has not been confirmed.
It’s unclear if the show will even have an Artist of Residence this season, let alone whether Jelly Roll will once again fill that role. It’s possible the show will wait until closer to the premiere to confirm this.
Even if he doesn’t keep his job as Artist in Residence, that doesn’t necessarily mean Jelly Roll has no chance of returning to the show. Bryan and Richie have sat on the panel for a number of years now, and the time might come to replace them.
It sounds like Jelly Roll has a lot of love for American Idol, so it’s possible he’ll eventually be in the running for a judge’s seat. What do you think? Should he join the show’s panel? Let us know on X!
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Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
