Jelly Roll's Meteoric Rise: From Kimmel to WWE, Topping Charts, and Changing Lives

Jelly Roll - Jason Bradley DeFord BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, has surged to the forefront of entertainment headlines over the past week, marking some of the biggest moments in both his music and cross-media career. The most talked-about development is his upcoming role as guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live, set for July 16 and 17. ABC’s decision to tap Jelly Roll as a replacement host marks a full-circle moment, recalling his first national TV performance on that very show back in June 2022. This time, the spotlight’s even brighter: major Hollywood guests like Jeremy Renner and Kevin James will join him, and Joey Bada$$ and The All-American Rejects are providing the music. While speculation is swirling about whether Jelly Roll might perform alongside these acts, ABC hasn’t confirmed that detail according to Parade. Barely off the stage from a headline-making turn in the WWE world, Jelly Roll finds himself at the center of sports entertainment buzz. Just days ago at SummerSlam 2025, he fought alongside Randy Orton against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. The rap star shocked viewers by jumping into the ring, trading blows with Paul, and ultimately taking a dramatic Claymore Kick from McIntyre after the match. Fan reactions swept social platforms, with many praising his grit while others criticized WWE for spotlighting a non-athlete in a high-profile match, as reported by SoapCentral. On the musical front, Jelly Roll is deep into his Beautifully Broken Tour, playing major venues and driving brisk ticket sales ahead of dates at Madison Square Garden in September. He just landed a significant chart hit with Brandon Lake, as their collaboration “Hard Fought Hallelujah” topped the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart for 16 weeks—this crossover signals his rising influence across both country and Christian music spheres. Music industry shows like BioSnap and TikTok have been chronicling emotional fan moments from his concerts, further boosting his social media footprint. His net worth just climbed to an estimated 16 million dollars in 2025, per FreeJobAlert, reflecting not only album sales and streaming but also these lucrative new ventures in television and wrestling. Beyond the glitz, Jelly Roll remains defined by openness about his troubled past, his ongoing advocacy for mental health, and his partnership with wife Bunny XO—often highlighted as central to his redemption arc in recent profiles. The landscape is shifting rapidly for Jelly Roll, and if the current media hype is any indication, these past few days are likely to be remembered as a pivotal chapter in his extraordinary rise. Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI