Jelly Roll's Inspiring 200-Pound Weight Loss Journey and Meteoric Music Career Rise

Jelly Roll - Jason Bradley DeFord BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. Jelly Roll—Jason Bradley DeFord—has dominated headlines and social feeds the past few days for a combination of major career moves and his awe-inspiring physical transformation. The biggest, breaking news is his abrupt cancellation of the final show on his first-ever Australia and New Zealand tour, the November 8 Auckland performance at Outer Fields. According to Billboard and The Express, fans learned the show was off only after many had already arrived, sparking frustration across social media and leaving a memorable mark on his international debut. Jelly Roll himself took to Instagram hours before to apologize, saying the illness that forced him offstage broke his heart and he prided himself on rarely canceling dates, having missed only three shows in a decade. Despite the disappointing tour conclusion, the build-up saw Jelly Roll celebrated across Australia for his nearly 200-pound weight loss, first revealed earlier this year but particularly apparent during his Sydney airport arrival in late October, where photos of his baggy sweatpants and trim appearance circulated widely. Media outlets from Hello Magazine to SHEfinds and Tuko praised his extreme transformation, with the star himself adding humor to the conversation. On Instagram, Jelly Roll posted a viral dancing video beaming with confidence and joked, "They're calling me veggie roll, y'all." Fans and tabloids alike have noted not just his appearance but his newfound energy and upward-spiraling self-esteem. As he stated on Jay Shetty's podcast and on his wife Bunnie Xo's Dumb Blonde show, the journey started back in 2022 at 550 pounds. He credits chef Ian Larios for supporting his high-protein diet on the road, insists he’s avoided weight loss drugs but supports them for others, and revealed his audacious goal—to land on the cover of Men’s Health by 2026. The conversation has even included quips about needing future skin removal surgery. On the music business front, the country and hip-hop hybrid remains one of the genre's most-watched. Following his three CMT Music Award wins for Performance of the Year, Male Video of the Year, and Video of the Year with "Need a Favor," plus a New Artist of the Year win at the CMA Awards, Jelly Roll is still riding a wave of industry respect. He's publicly expressed gratitude for his rapid rise in interviews with outlets like CBS Mornings, reflecting on his journey from the streets of Antioch, Tennessee, to topping charts and headlining arena tours. Upcoming, he's set for a massive 37-date arena tour across the U.S. starting August 27, teasing even more headline-making moments. Social media continues to buzz about his new life, both as a performer and as an inspiration for anyone seeking transformation. Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI