Jelly Roll has never been the kind of artist who fades into the background. With tattoos that read like chapters from his life and lyrics that cut straight to the bone, he’s built a career on raw honesty and underdog grit. But lately, it’s not just his music that has fans and critics buzzing—it’s his jaw-dropping transformation. The country-rap star who once carried the weight of his struggles on his body is now turning heads for how far he’s come, both inside and out.

The Making of a Maverick: Antioch to Infamy

Born Jason Bradley Deford in Nashville in 1984, Jelly Roll’s story starts in Antioch, Tennessee—a place where chaos often outpaced comfort. His father, Horus “Buddy” Deford, hustled meat by day and booked bets on the side. His mother battled addiction and mental health challenges, but also sparked his love for music, filling their home with the sounds of George Strait and Garth Brooks. The nickname “Jelly Roll” came from her, a loving nod to her chubby little boy—a name that would later become his stage persona.

Music was an escape and a lifeline. By age 10, Jelly Roll was scribbling his own rap verses, dreaming of making others feel what music made his mom feel. By eighth grade, he was pressing homemade mixtapes into the hands of high schoolers in parking lots, hustling his way into the local scene.

But life hardened after his parents’ divorce when he was 13. Feeling responsible for his mom, Jelly turned to the streets, selling drugs to help put food on the table. He even slipped free rap mixtapes into his sales, blending survival with ambition before he was old enough to drive.

Despite the chaos, his father’s lessons stuck. Buddy, who passed away from cancer in 2019, taught Jelly Roll to despise racism and to carry himself with pride, no matter what life threw his way.

Climbing Out of the Darkness

Jelly Roll’s journey to stardom was anything but smooth. He didn’t just stumble into country fame—he clawed his way there, dragging a past full of prison time, addiction, and heartbreak right into his lyrics. That authenticity became his signature, and fans connected because every verse sounded lived, not just written.

He was only 14 when he landed behind bars for the first time. By his own count, shared in his 2023 documentary Jelly Roll: Save Me, he’d be arrested around 40 times. But the most pivotal moment came at 16, when he was charged with aggravated robbery—an adult crime for a teenager. Facing a possible 20-year sentence, he ultimately served just over a year in jail and spent more than seven years on probation.

That conviction still casts a shadow. Tennessee’s zero-tolerance laws mean Jelly Roll can’t vote, volunteer at nonprofits, or own a firearm. But he’s never let those setbacks define him. Instead, he’s turned his past into a mission, visiting rehabilitation centers and sharing his story as living proof that redemption is possible.

The true turning point came at 23, while locked up again for theft. On May 22, 2008, a correctional officer told him he’d become a father. Jelly Roll calls it his “Damascus road experience”—the moment he knew he had to change. He earned his GED in prison and walked out in 2009, determined to rewrite his future.

Breaking Nashville’s Rule Book

When Jelly Roll left prison, he didn’t step into fame—he stepped into a van. From 2010 to 2015, that van was his home as he chased a dream that felt impossibly far away. He poured his life into music, uploading raw freestyle raps to YouTube that painted the truth of his struggles.

One 10-minute freestyle caught the eye of rapper Lil Wyte, who saw something special in Jelly Roll. Their collaboration led to the 2011 album Year Round and cracked open Nashville’s doors. Wyte encouraged Jelly Roll to lean into singing, a suggestion that would eventually change everything.

Momentum built as Jelly Roll’s joint album Strictly Business landed on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Later projects with Struggle Jennings mixed grit with heritage, but Jelly Roll didn’t fully embrace singing until he wrote “Save Me” in 2020. The song, stripped of rap and laid bare against the weight of hopelessness, resonated instantly. John Loba, then president of BMG Nashville, saw Jelly Roll’s heart and storytelling as perfect for country music. BMG signed him, placing him among heavyweights like Jason Aldean and Lainey Wilson.

His first major studio album, Ballads of the Broken, featured hits like “Dead Man Walking” and “Son of a Sinner.” By January 2023, “Son of a Sinner” hit No. 1 on the country charts. Jelly Roll’s debut at the Grand Ole Opry, record-breaking run atop Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, and sweep of the CMT Music Awards cemented him as one of country’s most unlikely breakout stars.

Love, Chaos, and Bunny XO

Music is only half the story. The other half is love—the messy, loud, and impossible-to-ignore kind. Standing beside Jelly Roll through every high and low is Bunny XO, his wife and partner in chaos.

Their romance started in 2015 in a Vegas bar and quickly turned into a whirlwind. Bunny, escaping an abusive relationship, invited Jelly Roll to stay at her Vegas home while he was in town. A year later, Jelly proposed at a concert, and with just 45 minutes before the courthouse closed, they sealed the deal that night.

Their marriage has been wild and unfiltered. Both have spoken openly about couples therapy and their unconventional open relationship—choosing honesty and freedom over secrecy. Bunny, who worked as an escort when they met, retired in 2023 to focus on her Bunny XO brand, maintaining her financial independence with Jelly Roll’s full support.

Together, they’ve built a blended family. Jelly Roll’s daughter Bailey lives with them and often appears on social media, while his son Noah stays out of the spotlight by choice. Now, nearly a decade into their marriage, Jelly and Bunny are trying for a baby of their own through IVF, sharing their journey publicly to break stigmas and inspire others.

Headlines, Controversy, and Staying Real

Jelly Roll isn’t afraid of chaos. Controversy seems to follow him, whether it’s sparring with corporations or clapping back at fans. His 2013 mixtape Whiskey, Weed, & Waffle House landed him in hot water with the restaurant chain, resulting in a $10,000 settlement.

In 2024, Bunny XO’s playful social media post with musician Chris Cerulli sparked debate about their marriage, but the couple shrugged off criticism, sharing texts that proved their bond is built on laughter and trust.

Jelly Roll’s name itself became a legal battleground when a Philadelphia wedding band filed a complaint, claiming trademark infringement. But for Jelly Roll, the name is more than a label—it’s a legacy.

The Transformation That Has Everyone Talking

For most of his life, Jelly Roll carried more than the weight of his past—he carried the physical weight, too. At his heaviest, he tipped the scales at over 540 pounds. Fast forward to 2025, and jaws are dropping everywhere. Jelly Roll has shed 200 pounds, and his transformation is impossible to ignore.

This change didn’t come from a flashy gimmick or overnight fix. It started with walking—struggling through a single mile in January 2024, then completing his first 5K in Los Angeles by May. He swapped late-night meals for protein-packed plates, ran two to three miles a day, and embraced cold plunges and sauna sessions.

By summer, he’d lost 70 pounds. By November, he opened up about his toughest battle: food addiction. Breaking that cycle took discipline, and once progress started, it snowballed. On Jimmy Kimmel Live, Jelly Roll revealed he’d gone from 540 to 357 pounds, stunning viewers with his new energy and outlook.

In August 2025, he revealed to the Tennessee Titans that he’d lost 200 pounds, joking about chasing an NFL contract if he dropped another 50. On tour, he’s reinvented his culture—trading late nights for basketball games and long walks. He’s hiked mountains, planned skydiving trips, and set his sights on landing the cover of Men’s Health.

This isn’t Jelly Roll’s first attempt at transformation. In 2016, he lost 200 pounds before regaining much of it. But now, his goals are different—about freedom, not validation. Roller coasters without fear, bungee jumps without worry, and living life fully.

He’s letting fans see every step, stumble, and victory. His transformation isn’t polished or pretentious—it’s raw, honest, and unfolding in real time. That’s what makes people root for him. Jelly Roll isn’t just losing weight; he’s proving that change is possible, even after decades of struggle.