Contents
- 1 What is the height and weight of a jelly roll?
- 2 Who is Jelly Roll?
- 3 Career Highlights
- 4 How Much Did Jelly Roll Weigh at His Heaviest?
- 5 Early Struggles with Weight and Health
- 6 What Sparked His Weight Loss Journey?
- 7 The Simple Food Swaps That Helped
- 8 Exercise & Lifestyle Shifts Behind His Success
- 9 Weight Loss Goals: From 100 Pounds to Men’s Health Cover Dreams
- 10 Milestone Moments: 70 Pounds in 5 Months and Beyond
- 11 Did Jelly Roll Have Weight Loss Surgery?
- 12 Weight Loss in the Public Eye
- 13 How His Transformation Affects His Music and Touring Life
- 14 Celebrity Fitness Journeys vs. Jelly Roll’s Real-Life Struggle
- 15 Ambitious Goal for 2026
- 16 Net Worth and Career Success
- 17 FAQs
- 18 Conclusion
What is the height and weight of a jelly roll?
Jelly Roll (real name Jason Bradley DeFord) is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. The current weight of the Jelly roll is around 161 kg/357 lbs, and he stands at a height of 6.1 ft / 1.87 m.
If you have seen the recent photos of Jelly Roll, you likely did a double-take. The 550-pound man looks like a different person now.
The name Jelly Roll is linked with powerful lyrics, real-life struggles, and a voice that connects deeply with listeners. In the past few years, he’s made a place for himself in the music world that feels honest and true. This naturally leads to fans having questions about his personal life, even just basic things like his height and weight.
Jelly Roll’s weight loss has been one of the most discussed transformations in the music industry. His body transformation before and after leaves fans in shock. This isn’t just a numerical and symbolic transformation, it’s also a monumentally brave, disciplined and utterly life-changing one. With a strict diet plan, disciplined workout regimen and addressing food addiction, he managed to shed 200 pounds of his weight. Before losing weight, he weighed around 550 pounds with 6’1″ tall height.
Full Name | Jason Bradley DeFord |
Date of Birth | December 4, 1984 |
Age | 40 years old (as of 2025) |
Height | 6 feet 1½ inches (1.87 meters) |
Weight | Approximately 357 pounds (as of 2025) |
Net Worth | Estimated at $16 million |
Siblings | Three older half-siblings: brothers Roger and Scott, and a sister named Shelby |
Wife | Bunnie Xo (Alyssa DeFord) – married in 2016 |
Children | Two children: daughter Bailee Ann and son Noah |
Father | Horace “Buddy” DeFord |
Mother | Donna DeFord |
Nationality | American |
Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Hair Color | Light Brown |
Who is Jelly Roll?
Jason Bradley DeFord, also known as Jelly Roll, was born on December 4, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee. His father, Buddy DeFord, was a meat salesman, and his mother, Donna DeFord, was a driving force in his childhood. He had to experience a difficult childhood, a secretive life, family challenges, and a taste of adversity early on. He drew strength from early exposure to hard times. Music was an escape early on. He is well known for mixing rap and country music, as heard on his albums Whitsitt Chapel and hit songs like Save Me and Son of a Sinner. He gained recognition with Grammy nominations, CMA New Artist of the Year and assignments such as American Idol Artist in 2025.

Career Highlights
Jelly Roll’s journey in music isn’t overnight. He spent years working in underground scenes, performing in small venues. His big break came when he began working with artists like Struggle Jennings and Tech N9ne. These collaborations helped expose him to bigger audiences and established him as a force in the rap world. Some popular albums include the following:
- “A Beautiful Disaster”
- “Addiction Kills”
- “Self Medicated”
Each album reflects his personal struggles and victories. Fans connect with his music because it feels real.
From Rap to Country Stardom
Jelly Roll didn’t start as a country artist. His shift toward country came later, especially after his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. That performance motivated him to fully commit to the genre, and it’s fitting that his career reinvention is as dramatic as the physical one it entailed.
How Much Did Jelly Roll Weigh at His Heaviest?
At his heaviest, Jelly Roll tipped the scale at approximately 540 pounds. This presented serious health risks and influenced his decision to make profound lifestyle changes.
Early Struggles with Weight and Health
Jelly Roll grew up dealing with weight issues such as poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Before he reinvented himself, Jelly Roll endured hard times that included robbery and drug charges, and he spent years in and out of prison. He often credits music — and later his wife Bunnie Xo — with helping him change direction. These battles were instrumental in the composition of his early life. In addition, late-night practices, around-the-clock appearances and unhealthy consumption added to his excess pounds.

What Sparked His Weight Loss Journey?
Every transformation story has that one moment when enough is enough. Jelly Roll didn’t need fame or money to alter his course; he needed family. His wife, Bunnie Xo, his daughter, Bailee Ann, and his son, Noah, were his reason to push back. He was driven toward a change by health-related reasons, but he also just wanted to feel better. The trip involved a hike up Camelback Mountain as a gesture in favour of physical fitness. Fans observed his dedication from public confessions as well, like his Tennessee Titans speech and interviews on the Dumb Blonde podcast, shared how he was conquering his food addiction and hoping to make permanent changes to his health.
The Simple Food Swaps That Helped
“It did work for me, and this is not a fad diet because I wanted my change to be sustainable.” And sustainable it was. He switched to vegetables from fried foods, cut back on sugar and concentrated on hydration. Small shifts like these proved to be powerful. With the help of his nutritionist, Ian Larios, he found ways to lose weight and maintain it without getting tired. His diet was part of his exercise routine, which helped him prepare for things like the 5K race training and half-marathon training.
Exercise & Lifestyle Shifts Behind His Success
He chose to live an active lifestyle, and started walking, weightlifting and doing cardio exercises. His work out on tour kept him fit despite a busy schedule. He became an avid exerciser as part of his healthy lifestyle makeover. On top of workouts, he worked to quit drinking and handle stress. Outdoor activities, like hiking Camelback Mountain, made it easy for him to stay motivated, since exercise was now filled with fun.
Weight Loss Goals: From 100 Pounds to Men’s Health Cover Dreams
Jelly Roll originally set his weight-loss sights on 100 pounds, but his progress led him to dream bigger. He even put his Health magazine goal on blast, determined to be on the cover as a testament to commitment and routine.

Milestone Moments: 70 Pounds in 5 Months and Beyond
In 2024, Jelly Roll lost 70 pounds in just five months, shocking fans and media. Each milestone was documented. There were social media posts and interviews at each milestone that shared before-and-after photos of Jelly Roll. His work ethic and determination serve as the model for fans fighting some of the same battles.
Did Jelly Roll Have Weight Loss Surgery?
Media speculations concerning Jelly Roll’s weight loss surgery were kept in check by some of his interviews in which he details that he lost the weight through diet, exercise, and sheer dedication. There was no surgical intervention; his gain is purely a result of motivation and discipline. By addressing these rumours, he vindicated himself, as it indicated to the world that there is a way to transform or have a glow-up properly and without a shortcut. And his road clearly shows the power of making healthy lifestyle changes that any who reads his story can be inspired by.
Weight Loss in the Public Eye
Unlike many celebrities who disappear, lose weight, and then return “unrecognisable,” Jelly Roll chose to shed pounds in front of his fans. He said on his wife’s Dumb Blonde podcast that he wanted the process to be public. His honesty makes fans connect with him more because they see both the struggles and victories play out in real time.
How His Transformation Affects His Music and Touring Life
Weight loss enhanced his energy, stamina, and stage presence. Tours like Post Malone’s stadium tour and Backroad Baptism Tour became more manageable. Increased confidence also allowed him to engage audiences more authentically.
Jelly Roll himself describes his weight loss: “I’m walking around different, talking different; my shoulders are sitting different.”
Celebrity Fitness Journeys vs. Jelly Roll’s Real-Life Struggle
Unlike other Hollywood makeovers that may be executed with the help of surgery or trainers, Jelly Roll looked to consistency, mental strength and guidance from Ian Larios on nutrition. The reason his story resonates is that it feels real. Fans appreciate the real-life nature of his quest. It is also very healthy how his experience stacks up against other celebrity diets speaks to the importance of a diet and workout plan for any replicating his formula.
Ambitious Goal for 2026
Jelly Roll isn’t stopping at 200 pounds lost. He openly declared a bold dream — to appear on the cover of Men’s Health magazine by March 2026. For a man who once weighed over 550 pounds, that statement isn’t just about vanity; it’s about setting a symbolic milestone to inspire others battling lifelong obesity.
Net Worth and Career Success
Today, Jelly Roll’s net worth is estimated at around $16 million Net Worth. Debuts like “Son of a Sinner” and “Save Me” transformed him into a platinum-selling singles artist, drawing from elements of both rap and country albums.
FAQs
How much weight has Jelly Roll lost now?
Jelly Roll has lost about 200 pounds.
How did Jelly Roll lose so much weight?
He combined a strict diet plan, regular workouts, and quitting alcohol.
What was Jelly Roll’s heaviest weight?
His heaviest weight was around 540–550 pounds.
Did Jelly Roll lose 300 pounds?
No, he lost close to 200 pounds, not 300.
Did Jelly Roll have weight loss surgery?
No, he achieved it through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Conclusion
Jelly Roll’s weight loss journey proves that transformation is more than just numbers on a scale. His transformation shows the power of commitment. By following a disciplined diet and exercise plan and staying motivated, he achieved remarkable results. Beyond physical change, his story inspires fans to pursue health, balance, and self-confidence.