Celebrity

Jelly Roll’s Incredible Weight Loss Leaves Viewers Inspired: “Absolutely Crushing It”

Published on May 14, 2025

In a recent video, Jelly Roll’s fans were taken aback by his notably smaller frame, which also included an unexpected duet with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger. The performance was particularly significant because the “Need a Favour” singer disclosed that he had been covering Nickelback songs for years.

Recently, Jason Bradley DeFord, better known online as Jelly Roll, posted a video. The musician, who is well-known for his exuberant demeanour and intensely emotive lyrics, underwent a remarkable metamorphosis that caught his fans’ attention and has everyone talking.

The country-rap artist posted a video of himself on stage with Chad Kroeger, the frontman of Nickelback, unexpectedly joining him. Their duet thrilled Jelly Roll, who said he has been covering Nickelback songs “for a decade.”

Fans soon turned their focus to Jelly Roll’s appearance despite Kroeger and Jelly Roll’s outstanding performance. “Looks so different,” remarked one fan. Another person said, “Jelly roll looks so much healthier!”

In the video, Jelly Roll wore a black shirt, a vest, a pair of black pants, and a white gold chain necklace. His trimmed-down frame left fans buzzing. “YJ losing some weight !! [sic]” a third fan wrote.

“[Jelly Roll] is looking healthy! Good to see him living his best life,” one fan praised. “Is Jelly slimming down? I haven’t seen his face this thin since Goodnight Shirley,” another shared.

Online support for Jelly Roll’s metamorphosis was overwhelming. As “American Idol’s” first-ever “Artist in Residence,” the artist never fails to dazzle viewers with his skill and life story.

He previously went onstage with well-known sports expert Pat McAfee at the Big Night AHT event in April. Internet users have been commenting on Jelly Roll’s remarkable weight loss after McAfee posted a video of their exchange on X. Numerous people have praised the singer, pointing out how amazing he looks.

Wearing an all-black outfit that accentuated his notably smaller physique, Jelly Roll exuded confidence and contagious energy as he moved about the platform. A backward cap sat snuggly on top of his head, and his trademark chains glittered in the arena lights, but it was his unmistakable glow and dazzling smile that stole the show.

McAfee pointed out the obvious as the audience erupted in cheers, sarcastically marvelling at the enormity of Jelly Roll’s metamorphosis.

“Now, speaking of your person, it looks like, uh, you lost a person. Congratulations!” stated McAfee. The musician didn’t hesitate to share his numbers, proudly revealing that he had dropped from a staggering 540 pounds down to 357.

That announcement alone sent the audience into another frenzy, but what he said next left the crowd roaring. “I’m gonna lose another 100 pounds and go skydiving with my wife in Sweden, baby!” shouted Jelly Roll with a huge smile.

His exuberance was met with heartfelt encouragement from McAfee, who responded with admiration and support, “Well, we’re all proud of you, we need you to survive brother, you’re one of the good ones.” Above the video, the sports analyst captioned, “You look UNBELIEVABLE.”

McAfee posted an Instagram message promoting Big Night AHT and its contents a few days prior to the event.

“Wednesday night, 8 p.m. Eastern, PPG Paints Arena of next week. It will be streamed live on YouTube, X, and TikTok. The show is gonna be outrageous. We’re gonna be giving away […] money; we’re gonna have some surprise performances from folks. Hopefully some sing-alongs; hopefully some laughs, and hopefully a night that people will talk about forever,” explained the commentator.

Hulu re-aired the whole show, including behind-the-scenes videos, on April 8, 2025.

When McAfee posted the footage of his chat with Jelly Roll at his event a few days after making the news, internet responses to the singer’s attendance were quick. In celebration of his amazing development, fans flocked to social media.

Many were taken aback by how dramatic his transformation appeared, with one person remarking, “Almost unrecognizable if not for the face tats kudos [sic].” The sentiment was echoed by others who praised his physical change and the evident joy he carried with him onstage.

“Good for him!!!! Looks good! He seems like he is GLOWING!!” exclaimed one supporter, while another enthusiastically added, “Wow!! Fantastic ❤️.”

Messages of encouragement poured in from all directions. An admirer applauded the musician’s hard work, writing, “Good job!! Very impressive and you have extended your life!” Someone else chimed in, “That is incredible keep up the good work [sic].”

Additional remarks included admiration for Jelly Roll’s commitment and astonishment at how someone weighing 357 pounds could look so trim and vivacious. Another admirer reaffirmed his attractiveness.

The “Best For Me” singer has previously left the public pleasantly surprised by his weight loss, as evidenced by the recent outpouring of adulation. When he made an appearance in a Zevia drink advertisement, online users immediately praised the celebrity’s body.

The country music artist appears in the March 10 ad wearing an unusual outfit that includes boots, a tight vest underneath a sleeveless blouse, and a pair of Daisy Dukes.

The singer makes a dramatic appearance at a petrol station at the start of the commercial. Two young bystanders watch him as he pulls up in a bright red truck and runs a hand through his hair.

Then, with “Whatta Man” playing, Jelly Roll boldly reaches into the refrigerator and takes out a Zevia Creamy Root Beer. The two lads remain on the sidelines, watching him in wonder.

A clever message about dispelling stereotypes is also conveyed by the advertisement.

One of the boys in the video remarks, “Jelly Roll in a Zevia commercial? This is huge. By choosing him as a spokesperson for their zero-sugar soda with zero artificial ingredients, Zevia is dismantling the notion that ‘real men’ can’t be conscious of what goes into their bodies. Mr. Roll, now, quite literally is the poster child for sweet authenticity.”

Zevia’s message captivated fans, while Jelly Roll’s weight loss left them happy for him. One admirer excitedly pointed out, “He lost some weight wow he looks good [sic]!” while another playfully added, “He’s melting!” Someone else cheered, “His progress is incredible! Such an inspiration”.

Support continued pouring in with comments such as, “He looks so much better good [sic] for him!! Go Jelly Roll.” A fellow admirer praised his dedication, “I mean he looks fantastic, he has really worked on turning his health around and it is showing!”

One fan couldn’t resist penning a lighthearted joke about his stage name, “Looks like he’s lost weight. He’s going to have to change his name. Jelly Fig Newton”.

Supporters of Jelly Roll are thrilled to witness the results of his hard work, since he has been open about his weight loss journey. His voyage even serves as motivation for some of his followers as they go off on their own.

Jelly Roll reported losing more than 110 pounds in 2024, with an estimated 60 to 70 pounds lost during his Beautifully Broken Tour. He gave his commitment to his exercise regimen credit for this notable weight loss.

He walked two to three miles multiple times a week, went to the sauna and cold plunge every day, and ate a balanced meal. In order to stay active while on tour, Jelly Roll and his team also made basketball a daily ritual.

On the road, the Grammy contender made a big shift in his routine by concentrating on exercising and eating better. The musician talked about his struggle to lose weight, saying, “The battle was with the food addiction, changing the way I’ve looked at food for the last 39 years.”

Growing up in Antioch, Tennessee, Jelly Roll first struggled with food addiction. The 40-year-old admitted that it was really difficult to overcome because no one in his family ever had a good connection with eating. He has only advanced because of his self-control and dedication to change.

Jelly Roll changed his perspective on nutrition in order to combat food addiction. It was challenging for him to develop commitment and discipline, but as he got into a pattern, his growth accelerated. This thrilled him, and he exclaimed, “I feel really good.”

The “Winning Streak” singer was also proud that he had changed his tour culture. “It’s cool because there was once a time in life that [sic] the culture I built on tour was the opposite. It revolved around alcohol and drugs,” he divulged.

Healthy food, consistent exercise, and daily emotional check-ins with his crew have become fundamental to Jelly Roll’s tour atmosphere. The musician has also refrained from indulging in sushi, which he views as his favourite cheat food.

In addition, he is pleased with his natural weight loss and has opted not to use Ozempic due to possible negative consequences.

He fears acid reflux, which is the biggest disadvantage for him. Few things are more concerning to him as a singer than the potential for vomiting, which might damage his voice cords. His commitment to natural weight loss has made his wife, Bunnie XO, quite proud.

By March 2026, Jelly Roll wants to have undergone the biggest makeover imaginable and be on the cover of Men’s Health. He is steadfast in his resolve to be open about his difficulties during the process.

Instead of keeping his weight reduction journey a secret or feeling guilty, he wants to inspire others by demonstrating that change is achievable. At one point, his wife asked whether he was afraid of “the fat effect,” which is the phenomenon whereby Hollywood celebrities who lose a lot of weight occasionally experience a standstill in their career.

Jelly Roll remembered an acquaintance who, after losing weight, had trouble getting jobs. According to him, this occurs when a person bases their identity on their size, as is the case with the prevalent Hollywood cliché that bigger actors are frequently portrayed as humorous or depressed characters.

Thankfully, his friend’s job gradually picked up steam again. The most important thing for Jelly Roll is to make it clear that his achievement came despite, not because of, his stature.

Jelly Roll is quite proud of his music’s influence and feels that it speaks to listeners more deeply. He notes that his songs are intended to support individuals at difficult times in life and are more than just background music for a pleasant day.

He cherishes the opportunity to perform live and interact with fans who have found comfort in his songs. He would be delighted to have a lunch with anyone who has ever found solace in his music, if he were given the opportunity.