Behind the Tattoos and the Toughness—Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss Story Reveals a Side Fans Have Never Seen. ML
Country singer Jelly Roll has lost nearly 200 pounds after a two-year health transformation, according to recent interviews and social media updates from the artist.
Born Jason DeFord, the “Son of a Sinner” singer weighed about 550 pounds before beginning his weight-loss journey in 2022. He told Music Mayhem that his goal was to focus on health and “conquer the demon” of his weight.
By 2024, Jelly had lost more than 110 pounds through diet and exercise, including 70 pounds while training for the 2 Bears 5K in Pasadena, California. He trained by walking two to three miles daily, adding sauna sessions and cold plunges to his routine.
During his Beautifully Broken tour, Jelly said he built a “new tour culture” centered on healthy food and fitness. He worked with nutritionist Chef Ian Larios, who prepared high-protein meals during the tour.
The Grammy-nominated singer told PEOPLE he avoided using Ozempic, citing concerns about acid reflux that could affect his voice. “As a singer, few things scare me more than acid reflux,” he said on The Dumb Blonde Podcast.
Jelly has also spoken about overcoming food addiction, saying he had to “change how [he’s] looked at food for 39 years.” He credits consistency and commitment for his success.
The artist continues to work toward new fitness goals, including appearing on the cover of Men’s Health magazine by March 2026. He recently appeared in public at Sydney Airport showing his transformed figure ahead of his first-ever Australian headlining tour.
