Who is Jelly Roll? His Age, Net Worth, Weight Loss Journey, and Much More

Jelly Roll is the stage name of Jason Bradley DeFord, a singer-songwriter and musician who’s carved a unique path from hardship to country-rap fame. He was raised in Nashville, Tennessee in the Antioch neighborhood, and his adult life started off rocky. From addiction, run-ins with the law, and prison time, it has not always been smooth with him.

But music became his outlet. He started in hip-hop, selling mixtapes out of his car, before gradually shifting to a country-rap style that resonated with a lot of people. One thing that stands out is the powerful way he channelled his pains and mistakes into songs that feel raw and real. Songs like “Need a Favor,” “Save Me,” and “I Am Not Okay” struck deep because they weren’t just catchy; they were confessions.

He’s not one of those manufactured stars. He’s the kind who’s lived in the mud, crawled out, and started singing truths people can and do relate to.

How old is Jelly Roll?

He was born on December 4, 1984

As of December 2025, Jelly Roll turns 41 years old.

But what’s interesting is that at 41, he’s not slowing down. He shared in a video he posted on his birthday, “It’s my 41st birthday, y’all. And I’m not saying that because I want birthday presents,” Jelly (real name: Jason DeFord) said while running in the Instagram video. “I’m saying that because I used to drink and do cocaine on my birthday. I used to do codeine and pills on my birthday.” “Now on my birthday, one of my best friends wakes me up and says, Let’s go for a f—ing run, baby. Me and Cam Hanes getting these miles this morning,” Jelly Roll said. “That’s what God can do for you in a couple of years, baby. That’s what God can do. If you didn’t enjoy your birthday this year, you can change it by next birthday, baby. I promise you can.”

He has been open about his struggles as well as how he has been able to conquer them, choosing to go for a run rather than drinking or taking drugs.

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Jelly Roll’s Rise: From Struggle to Stage

Jelly Roll’s road to music wasn’t smooth. He was behind bars multiple times and his first arrest on drug charges was at age 14.

But when he turned to music, baring his soul through the lyrics, things began to shift. Over the years, he released mixtapes and independent albums, collaborating with other artists in hip-hop and country-rap scenes.

Eventually, that raw honesty paid off. He crossed over more into country/rock style, finding a broader audience, and started winning awards and recognition.

He even expanded beyond music: acting roles, appearances on television, and public speaking. His story from “chubby kid from Nashville getting into trouble” to successful artist became part of his appeal. People connect with redemption. People overlook a lot when someone owns their mistakes and works to rise above them.

What is Jelly Roll’s Net Worth?

Estimating net worth with celebrities is always a bit fuzzy. As of 2024, Jelly Roll’s net worth was estimated to be around USD 12 million to 16 million. His streams of income include music career, endorsements, music sales & streaming, touring, and YouTube. This amount shows his growth over time, showing that he’s not the struggling independent artist anymore.

Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss Journey

One of the most striking and inspiring things about Jelly Roll is his weight loss transformation.

At his heaviest, he reportedly weighed around 540 pounds. He started losing weight in 2016 and has lost 200 pounds.

In 2022, he committed to changing his life, not just his weight, but his lifestyle. The journey included healthier eating, regular exercise, and tackling food addiction. He’s not done. He’s said he wants to lose another 100 pounds, partly to fulfil a dream with his wife (skydiving in Sweden), and partly for health.

How did he do it? Discipline, but also honesty. No quick-fix pills for him. No shortcuts.

He changed his eating habits: smaller meals, more sensible cooking (even when on tour), healthier versions of his favorite dishes. He added movement: daily walks, running, sauna, cold plunges, working step by step, not overnight.

It wasn’t just about appearance. It was about health, energy, and living a life where he didn’t feel trapped in his own body.

In his own words, he wants people to see he didn’t become successful because of the weight; he became successful in spite of it.

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Recent Updates & Where He Is Now

• In 2025, at age 40, Jelly Roll publicly celebrated hitting a milestone: nearly 200 lb lost. He’s announcing big dreams, skydiving, major physical transformation, even aiming for a cover on Men’s Health, “That’s my new goal. I wanna have one of the biggest transformations,” he said.
• He continues to make music. And what’s interesting: his sound that blends rawness, country, rap, and emotion that keeps evolving. He refuses to be typecast.
• And maybe most importantly: he’s owning his story in full. The good. The bad. The recovery. The hope.

That’s Jelly Roll. A man who could have easily given up. Who could have stayed down when life knocked him down? But he didn’t.