Singer Jelly Roll Surpasses 100-Pound Weight Loss Goal: ‘You Won’t Recognize Me’

Jelly Roll attends CRS2024 at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., on Feb. 28, 2024. Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Jelly Roll, a Grammy-nominated singer recognized for hits such as “Save Me” and “Need a Favor,” has announced that he lost more than 100 pounds.

“Next year when y'all see me, you won’t recognize me,” the rapper-turned-country star said in a recent Instagram video, posted on Oct. 21 while on tour.

“I’m going to get under a pile of weights in a way that I never have.”

Jelly Roll, 39, whose legal name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is currently touring the United States on his Beautifully Broken Tour, which kicked off on Aug. 27 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The first leg of the tour—named after the singer’s new album, “Beautifully Broken”—features opening acts by country singers Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay and will conclude on Oct. 27.

In his social media post, Jelly Roll’s nutrition coach, chef Ian Larios, said the singer has already exceeded his initial weight loss target.

“We just passed the halfway point of the tour and Jelly’s been crushing it,” Larios shared.

“We’re either walking the arenas, playing basketball, boxing—he just surpassed his 100-pound weight loss.”

Favorite Meals on Tour

Larios, whose clientele includes UFC champions such as Belal Muhammad and Jamahal Hill, went on to highlight some of the healthy dishes Jelly Roll has been enjoying while on tour.

“One of his favorite pre-show snacks is banana,” the nutritionist said.

Larios said he makes the fruit “a little bit fancier” by grating Stevia-sweetened dark chocolate on top and drizzling it with Manuka honey.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Manuka honey, which is native to New Zealand, possesses antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant characteristics.

In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration has approved Manuka honey for use in wound dressings.

In August, a preliminary study conducted at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center also indicated that Manuka honey “could potentially be an alternative, natural option for breast cancer prevention and treatment.”

Jelly Roll, winner of CMT Performance of the Year, Male Video of the Year, and Video of the Year awards, poses in the press room during the 2024 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on April 7, 2024. Chris Saucedo/Getty Images

Elsewhere in the video, Larios said he prepares high-protein dishes for Jelly Roll after his performances. These include Nashville-style hot chicken nuggets made with potato and rice flour and french fries boiled in bone broth for added protein and a “nice crunch.”

“Taking away the oil and the batter from it, we’re still having a high-protein meal,” Larios said, noting that he prefers to cook the meat in an air fryer as opposed to a conventional deep fryer.

“We air fry it so it tricks your brain into thinking this is like that nice, greasy, Nashville deep-fried hot chicken,” Larios said. “[Jelly Roll’s] going to feel like he’s eating at home. It’s healthy, it’s air-fried, full of protein, and it helps him stay on track.”

Larios took to Instagram on Sept. 16 to praise Jelly Roll for the progress he’s made toward his weight loss efforts.

“The big dog @jellyroll615 has been absolutely crushing it on his health journey this tour,” the nutrition coach wrote.

“The habits he’s been building are truly life-changing, and he’s doing this while also changing lives on this 56-city tour. Excited for him to show the world he’s just getting warmed up.”

‘Beautifully Broken’

Jelly Roll released his latest album, “Beautifully Broken,” on Oct. 11.

During an interview for the “Taste of Country Nights” podcast, published on May 29, the musician said the album was largely inspired by conversations he'd had with fans.

“There’s a lot of storytelling on this album. I wrote probably a hundred and some songs last year, maybe 150 plus, trying to figure this album out,” Jelly Roll said.

“I’ve never been more inspired, though. I was getting so many stories; people were pouring into me. I’m at gas stations and red carpets, and I’m hearing life stories from people—really inspiring stories.”

The second leg of the Beautifully Broken Tour—featuring special guest performers Ernest, Shaboozey, and Allie Colleen—is slated to begin on Oct. 30 at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Subsequent shows include stops in Detroit, Michigan; Lexington, Kentucky; Omaha, Nebraska; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Nashville native is also slated to perform on Nov. 26 at Music City’s Bridgestone Arena.

“I’m so excited to finally bring The Beautifully Broken Tour to Nashville,” Jelly Roll said via Instagram earlier this week. “It’s my first time back at Bridgestone since 2022, so we’re gonna do it big, y’all!!”