Jelly Roll - Jason Bradley DeFord BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.
Jason Bradley DeFord known to the world as Jelly Roll is closing out September 2025 with a string of career and life milestones that have dominated both headlines and social media. The buzz started when he posted a photo on Instagram from Vatican City during the Grace for the World concert an event that had him sharing the stage with artists like Pharrell Williams John Legend and Jennifer Hudson while performing in front of St Peters Basilica. In one shot Jelly Roll is seen shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV with a caption referencing his journey “from rock bottom to holy ground” and quoting Matthew 18:20 signaling not just a watershed moment in his career but an almost surreal acknowledgment of how far hes come. The performance itself made waves as he donned Louis Vuitton—a brand he openly celebrated being able to wear for the first time after a well-documented battle with severe obesity. Jelly Roll publicly acknowledged shedding nearly 200 pounds since the start of his weight loss journey a transformation first covered by PEOPLE in 2024 and now replayed across news outlets including Parade and AOL. The photos from Italy went viral with both fans and celebrity friends gushing over his new look. Bunnie XO his wife praised him as the “hunkiest hunk of them all” while Fat Joe and Machine Gun Kelly chimed in with public congratulations. Scrutiny and praise aside this milestone was hard won—his struggles with weight were widely known and even pushed him off social media in 2024 after relentless bullying as Bunnie XO recently reminded followers. That year he dedicated himself to healthier habits shifting both his touring culture and daily routine and is now championing a “tour culture” of fitness clean eating and emotional support.
Meanwhile turning to public and family appearances Jelly Roll’s motivational side went viral courtesy of his wife again when she posted a heartwarming video of him after his son Noahs flag football game. In the viral clip Jelly Roll pep-talked Noahs team reframing their loss as a lesson and reminding them “The Tigers don’t lose the Tigers learn.” The coacheship echoes the candid authenticity he brings to his music and public image making him relatable far beyond country or rap audiences. On the home front Bunnie XO is also making news for announcing her first memoir Stripped Down described by him as “big news for the family.” For now Jelly Roll appears on top of his game—juggling historic performances public appearances near-constant viral moments and a family in the spotlight all while literally shedding the weight of his past.
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