Jelly Roll opened up about her dramatic weight loss at the 2026 Grammy Awards, explaining that the transformation came only after she decided to take her health as seriously as her past battles with addiction.
Speaking to reporters in the Grammys press room on February 1, the singer revealed that he had lost more than 200 pounds and said the journey required a complete change of mindset.
“I did it with a lot of cardio and consistent eating,” he said.
“I had to fight my food addiction the same way I fought my cocaine addiction. I had to take it really seriously. I had to change my relationship with food.”
The 41-year-old, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, emphasized that for him the weight loss was as much mental as it was physical. He shared that therapy played a key role in helping him control cravings and break unhealthy patterns.
“I had to do a lot of mental therapy and a lot of mental work to block out the noise of food,” she explained, adding that she never used weight-loss injections. “I’ve never made a GLP-1, but I don’t judge anyone who does.”
Jelly Roll, who took home three awards at the 68th Annual Grammys, including Best Contemporary Country Album, Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Shaboozey, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, used the moment to encourage others facing similar struggles.
“Anyone who weighs 500 pounds: I don’t care if you take one shot or 10,” he emphasized.
“Do whatever it takes. Lose weight. Don’t listen to anyone else. Go fix your life and save that heart.”
He previously shared that his previous attempts to lose weight had failed and that it was his journey to sobriety that finally changed his focus.
Reflecting on the process during a December appearance on The Joe Rogan ExperienceHe said he decided to slow down and be more intentional.
“When I sat down to try to lose control this time, I said, ‘I’m going to take a different approach. I’m going to really take my time and think about what I’m doing and be intentional,'” he recalled, noting that his experience with addiction helped him recognize deeper patterns.
“I’ve dealt with drug addiction, so I thought, maybe there’s something here.”
Exercise, particularly running, has become a central element of their daily routine.
He recently said MY! News that meal was the biggest change he made, but the movement became his anchor.
“Running has been my true healer,” he said, explaining that he runs every day. Even on the lightest days, he makes sure to cover at least a mile at a slow, steady pace.
Beyond the physical changes, Jelly Roll says his motivation is rooted in family.
He is the father of Bailee Ann, 17, and Noah, 9, from previous relationships, and credits his wife, Bunnie XO, for being his strongest support system.
“Bunnie played the [biggest] Even to get this far,” he said. “Every part of me that gets better is just another attempt to be a better husband and a better father.”
While he’s proud of the weight he’s lost, Jelly Roll made it clear that the journey continues.
For him, transformation is not about reaching a goal, but about continuing to grow. As he himself said, losing weight was just a step and he knows he has to continue evolving tomorrow.
