Country music sensation Jelly Roll never forgets his origins, and in June, his generosity transformed one fan’s future.
On Monday evening, June 17, 2024, the acclaimed singer headlined a complimentary event in Nashville as part of 107.5 The River’s “River On The Rooftop” concert series at Skydeck on Broadway. The lineup featured Haven Madison and Jessie Murph, with Murph joining him onstage for a powerful rendition of their 2023 hit collaboration “Wild Ones.”
Among the enthusiastic crowd stood 18-year-old Joy Gadalla, whose life had been profoundly influenced by the singer’s journey. Joy’s family had immigrated from Egypt to America seeking better opportunities. Despite enduring relentless bullying since seventh grade—which ultimately forced her to complete her education online—she persevered and graduated high school with an impressive 3.8 GPA. Drawing inspiration from Jelly Roll’s triumph over his own hardships, Joy enrolled at Belmont University with dreams of becoming a criminal justice lawyer. However, the financial burden of this educational path seemed insurmountable.
“I was in tears, completely overwhelmed with stress,” Joy recalled. “Then I took a moment to breathe and pray, and something inside me knew everything would work out. I felt certain God would provide somehow.”
Little did she realize that standing in line for five hours with her cousin to see Jelly Roll—a much-needed break after spending a month caring for her hospitalized grandmother—would become the answer to her prayers.
Positioned just feet away from the performer in the packed venue, Joy made a spontaneous decision and held up her phone displaying the simple message: “Please pay my tuition.” Following the “Save Me” singer’s opening number, he spotted her plea and responded, “I’m going to give you the opportunity to change your life right here on this date.” He continued, his voice filled with sincerity, “I’m gonna send somebody out from my team to get you. We’re gonna talk about what college you go to and what your GPA is, and if all that checks out, we will help you get through school.”
After the performance concluded, Jelly Roll’s team connected with Joy as promised, though specific arrangements remain private.
What’s particularly touching is that Jelly Roll knew nothing about Joy’s background—her year and seven months of sobriety or how his music had played a significant role in her recovery journey. He simply recognized someone in need and understood the struggle personally, having missed out on college himself because he lacked financial support.
This act of kindness aligns perfectly with the singer’s well-established philanthropic reputation. In 2022, he partnered with Impact Youth Outreach, a local mentoring non-profit organization. His generosity previously captured public attention when a viral TikTok video showed him pulling up to a Whataburger drive-thru and gifting a young employee $1,000 to share with his four coworkers.
For Joy Gadalla, the encounter with Jelly Roll was nothing short of miraculous. With his unexpected support, she now stands significantly closer to achieving her professional dreams and continuing her inspiring journey.