Country star Jelly Roll reflects on his 2025 ACM Awards nominations and how he feels after shedding over 200 lbs. Get exclusive quotes, fan reactions, and a behind-the-scenes video
Jelly Roll Opens Up on His ACM Nominations and Monumental 200+ Lb Weight Loss (Exclusive)
Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord walked the red carpet at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas, feeling lighter—both on the scale and in spirit. Nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year (for Beautifully Broken), Jelly Roll shared candid reflections on what these nods mean to him after losing more than 200 lbs. People.comFox News
“Walking into that room this year, I felt like I was walking into a brand-new life,” he told us moments before the ceremony began. “The nominations are incredible, but knowing I can stand there at 357 lbs instead of 540 lbs—that’s victory in itself.” Fox News
A Health Journey Under the Spotlight
Since beginning his transformation in 2022, Jelly Roll has combined disciplined training with a balanced diet to drop from over 540 lbs to 357 lbs as of May 2025.
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Early Milestones: By mid-2024 he’d lost the first 100 lbs and even ran his first 5K in under 30 minutes—something he once thought impossible. People.com
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Sky’s the Limit: In February, he climbed Camelback Mountain near Phoenix, reflecting, “If I could do that then, I know there’s nothing I can’t do now.” Fox News
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Next Goal: Jelly Roll plans to lose another 100 lbs before skydiving with his wife in Sweden—a promise he made on his podcast, Bunnie’s Dumb Blonde. People.com
Behind the Exclusive Video
Below, watch Jelly Roll reveal his current weight and share how “this is only the beginning” on Entertainment Tonight’s Big Night Aht show with Pat McAfee.
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Fan Reactions on Social Media
The announcement sparked an outpouring of support online:
@CountryHeart25 (Twitter): “Watching @jellyroll finally feel good about himself makes me tear up every time. You’re an inspiration, brother!” View Tweet
On Instagram, one fan commented under Jelly Roll’s recent reel:
“This journey gives me hope for my own. Keep pushing, Jelly—it’s working! ❤️” Instagram
From the ACM stage to mountaintop hikes, Jelly Roll’s evolution is more than a statistic—it’s a testament to resilience. As he eyes the 2025 ACM Awards, he does so not just as a nominee, but as a man transformed, determined to inspire others on their own paths to health and happiness.
