Backstreet’s back, alright!
During Jelly Roll’s July 10 concert at History in Toronto, fans were pleasantly surprised when Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean made a special appearance onstage. Together, they treated the audience to a nostalgic rendition of the boy band’s 1999 hit “I Want It That Way.”
The crowd certainly enjoyed a blast from the past with McLean and Jelly Roll, but it was also a significant night for Jelly Roll himself. Having the 90s icon share the stage was memorable, but equally important was the fact that this marked Jelly Roll’s first concert outside the United States. This achievement was a major milestone for him, especially considering the obstacles he has overcome due to past felony charges.
Jelly Roll has been very candid about his troubled past, revealing that he was first arrested at the age of 14. Throughout his life, he has faced numerous arrests (around 40 times in total) for various drug-related offenses. Just two years after his initial arrest, Jelly Roll was charged as an adult for aggravated robbery, leading to a prison sentence of over a year followed by seven years of probation.
These past issues have hindered Jelly Roll from traveling internationally, something he’s eager to do for his fans worldwide. In an interview with Jon Bon Jovi for Interview Magazine, he mentioned working on “the final pieces of some legal puzzles” to organize his first international tour.
“It’s funny, America has finally agreed to let me leave and give me a passport, but some countries won’t let me come because of my felonies,” he said. “We’re working on that. I think it’s going to work in my favor.”
Despite these challenges, Jelly Roll’s recent debut in Canada is a positive step forward. Meanwhile, his U.S. fans have the opportunity to catch him live on his Beautifully Broken Tour, which runs until November 15.
Watch Jelly Roll and AJ McLean sing “I Want It That Way” together in the video below.