If you haven’t seen a photo of Jason DeFord—better known as Jelly Roll—in the last six months, you’re basically looking at a stranger. Seriously. The man who once described himself as being "imprisoned in a fat suit" for three decades has pulled off one of the most jarring physical transformations in music history.
So, what does Jelly Roll look like right now?
He’s roughly half the man he used to be. Literally. As of January 2026, the "Save Me" singer has shed a staggering 275 pounds. He’s gone from a peak weight of over 500 pounds down to about 265. He’s got a jawline now. It’s weird for fans to see, honestly. He even joked on Instagram that without the massive beard he sported for ten years, he looks like a "Ninja Turtle."
The Face Tattoos: Still There, But Different
Most people recognize Jelly Roll by the ink. It’s hard to miss. His face is a roadmap of a life that was, frankly, a total mess before the fame hit.
You’ve got the cross under his right eye. The teardrops. The "Music Man" emblem across his hairline. Then there’s the "Purity" tattoo and the large "GBU" (Good, Bad, Ugly) on his cheek.
But here’s the thing: he kinda hates them now. In a massive cover story for Men's Health earlier this month, he admitted that his face tattoos represent a version of himself he doesn't even recognize anymore. He used to say they were a call for attention, but now he realizes they were actually a shield for his own shame.
- The Cross: A symbol of his faith and his time spent in and out of the system.
- The Teardrops: Reminders of his past, though he’s quick to point out they don’t reflect who he is today.
- The Shaved Face: For the first time in a decade, the beard is gone. His wife, Bunnie Xo, is obsessed with the new jawline, but his daughter Bailee Ann apparently thinks he looks like a turtle. Kids are brutal.
He’s even toyed with the idea of getting some of them removed. He hasn't pulled the trigger yet because they are, for better or worse, part of his "redemption" story. But don't be surprised if the ink starts fading soon as he continues this "new life" chapter.
The Physical Transformation is No Joke
It’s not just about the weight. It's how he carries himself.
Back in 2020, Jelly Roll was over 540 pounds. He couldn’t walk a mile in under 40 minutes. Now? He’s training for the 2026 New York City Marathon. He’s boxing, playing basketball, and running stairs in arenas before his shows.
If you see him on stage today, he’s not the stationary guy behind a mic anymore. He’s high-energy. He’s "pouncing on his wife" (his words, not mine) because his energy levels have skyrocketed.
Why He Didn’t Use Ozempic
This is the part that surprises most people. In a world where every celebrity seems to be on a GLP-1, Jelly Roll did it the "un-glamorous" way. He hired a chef and a sports nutritionist named Ian Larios. He focused on high-protein meals—think healthier versions of Nashville hot chicken—and cut out the ultra-processed stuff.
He was actually scared of weight-loss meds. He mentioned he was worried about acid reflux potentially damaging his vocal cords. So, he just sweated it out.
What He Wears Now
The style has shifted too. He’s still a fan of the casual Nashville look—lots of black hoodies, hats, and comfortable gear. But he’s also leaning into his new physique. He’s even done a shoe collaboration with HEYDUDE, featuring symbols like broken chains on the design.
The broken chains are a big deal for him. He has them tattooed on his arm, and they represent breaking the "bondage" of addiction and his old lifestyle.
The Reality of "Loose Skin"
Jelly Roll is nothing if not honest. He’s been very open about the fact that losing 275 pounds leaves a mark. He’s already mentioned plans to undergo skin removal surgery later this year.
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It’s the "by-product of being fat as f***," as he bluntly put it. He’s not trying to hide the messy parts of the process. He’s proud of the scars because they mean he’s not in that 500-pound body anymore.
How to Keep Up with the Changes
If you’re trying to keep track of his look, your best bet is his "Daily Roll" vlogs or his wife’s Dumb Blonde podcast. He’s documenting the whole thing because he wants people to see that second chances are earned through boring, daily decisions.
Practical Takeaways from the "New" Jelly Roll:
- Consistency > Hacks: He lost 9 to 15 pounds a month by showing up, not by finding a magic pill.
- Identity is Fluid: You don't have to be the person your tattoos (or your past) say you are.
- Support Systems Matter: He credits his friend Greg Sanford and his wife Bunnie for keeping him accountable when things got "miserable."
The man you see on the cover of magazines today is a far cry from the "Son of a Sinner" we first met. He’s healthier, he’s faster, and he’s finally "falling in love with himself."
If you want to track his progress toward the NYC Marathon, keep an eye on his YouTube channel, where he posts his weekly training stats and fitness milestones.