Fans of Jelly Roll were stunned by his noticeably slimmer figure in a new video that also delivered a surprise duet with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger. The “Need a Favor” singer revealed he’s been covering Nickelback songs for years, making the performance especially meaningful.
Jason Bradley DeFord popularly known as Jelly Roll, recently shared a video online. The singer, known for his larger-than-life personality and deeply emotional lyrics, showed off a dramatic transformation that didn’t go unnoticed by his followers and has everyone talking.
The country-rap star shared a video of himself performing on stage when Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger unexpectedly joined him. Jelly Roll was delighted by their duet, claiming he’d been covering Nickelback songs “for a decade.”
Despite Jelly Roll and Kroeger’s stellar performance, fans quickly shifted their attention to Jelly Roll’s appearance. “Looks so different,” one fan commented. “Jelly roll looks so much healthier!” another added.
“[Jelly Roll] is looking healthy! Good to see him living his best life.🔥👏” one fan praised. “Is Jelly slimming down? I haven’t seen his face this thin since Goodnight Shirley 🤘🏽” another shared.
Jelly Roll’s transformation drew an outpouring of support online. The artist, who serves as “American Idol’s” first-ever “Artist in Residence,” continues to impress fans with his talent and personal journey.
Previously, he joined famous sports analyst Pat McAfee onstage at the Big Night AHT event back in April. A clip of their interaction, which McAfee shared on X, has prompted a wave of commentary from netizens concerning Jelly Roll’s impressive weight loss. Many have showered the singer with praise, noting how incredible he looks.
Fan comment about Jelly Roll, posted on April 10, 2025. | Source: X/@brandonsmith071
Clad in an all-black ensemble that highlighted his noticeably slimmer frame, Jelly Roll walked around the stage with confidence and infectious energy. His signature chains sparkled under the arena lights, and a backward cap sat snugly atop his head — but his beaming smile and undeniable glow truly stole the moment.
As the crowd erupted into applause, McAfee pointed out the obvious, jokingly marveling at the sheer magnitude of Jelly Roll’s transformation.
“Now, speaking of your person, it looks like, uh, you lost a person. Congratulations!” stated McAfee. The musician didn’t hesitate to share his numbers, proudly revealing that he had dropped from a staggering 540 pounds down to 357.
That announcement alone sent the audience into another frenzy, but what he said next left the crowd roaring. “I’m gonna lose another 100 pounds and go skydiving with my wife in Sweden, baby!” shouted Jelly Roll with a huge smile.
His exuberance was met with heartfelt encouragement from McAfee, who responded with admiration and support, “Well, we’re all proud of you, we need you to survive brother, you’re one of the good ones.” Above the video, the sports analyst captioned, “You look UNBELIEVABLE.”
Days before the event took place, McAfee shared an Instagram post announcing Big Night AHT and what it would entail.
Pat McAfee commending Jelly Roll on his weight loss as Jelly Roll does a little dance. | Source: X/@PatMcAfeeShow
“Wednesday night, 8 p.m. Eastern, PPG Paints Arena of next week. It will be streamed live on YouTube, X, and TikTok. The show is gonna be outrageous. We’re gonna be giving away […] money; we’re gonna have some surprise performances from folks. Hopefully some sing-alongs; hopefully some laughs, and hopefully a night that people will talk about forever,” explained the commentator.
The entire show, including behind-the-scenes footage, re-aired on April 8, 2025 via Hulu.
Days after his announcement, when McAfee shared the video of his conversation with Jelly Roll at his event, online reactions to the singer’s appearance came swiftly. Fans flocked to social media to celebrate his incredible progress.
Many were taken aback by how dramatic his transformation appeared, with one person remarking, “Almost unrecognizable if not for the face tats kudos [sic].” The sentiment was echoed by others who praised his physical change and the evident joy he carried with him onstage.
“Good for him!!!! Looks good! He seems like he is GLOWING!! 🙌🔥👏,” exclaimed one supporter, while another enthusiastically added, “Wow!! Fantastic👏👏👏❤️.”
Messages of encouragement poured in from all directions. An admirer applauded the musician’s hard work, writing, “Good job!! Very impressive and you have extended your life!” Someone else chimed in, “That is incredible keep up the good work outs 🙌 [sic].”
Other comments included cheers for Jelly Roll’s dedication, and disbelief at how someone weighing 357 pounds could appear so lean and energetic. Another fan reiterated how good he looks.
The influx of praise Jelly Roll recently received is not the first time the “Best For Me” musician has left the public pleasantly stunned by his weight loss. When he appeared in a commercial for the drinks brand Zevia, netizens wasted no time complimenting the star on his physique.
The ad, which dropped on March 10, showcases the country star in an unexpected ensemble consisting of a pair of Daisy Dukes, a tight vest underneath a sleeveless shirt, and boots.
The commercial begins with the singer making a grand entrance at a gas station. He rolls up in a bright red truck and runs a hand through his hair as two young onlookers take it all in.
Jelly Roll then confidently grabs a Zevia Creamy Root Beer from the fridge as “Whatta Man” plays. The two boys continue to watch him in awe from the sidelines.
The ad also delivers a clever message about breaking stereotypes.
One of the boys in the video remarks, “Jelly Roll in a Zevia commercial? This is huge. By choosing him as a spokesperson for their zero-sugar soda with zero artificial ingredients, Zevia is dismantling the notion that ‘real men’ can’t be conscious of what goes into their bodies. Mr. Roll, now, quite literally is the poster child for sweet authenticity.”
Zevia’s message captivated fans, while Jelly Roll’s weight loss left them happy for him. One admirer excitedly pointed out, “He lost some weight wow he looks good [sic]!” while another playfully added, “He’s melting!” Someone else cheered, “His progress is incredible! Such an inspiration 🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
Support continued pouring in with comments such as, “He looks so much better good [sic] for him!! Go Jelly Roll.” A fellow admirer praised his dedication, “I mean he looks fantastic, he has really worked on turning his health around and it is showing!”
One fan couldn’t resist penning a lighthearted joke about his stage name, “Looks like he’s lost weight. He’s going to have to change his name. Jelly Fig Newton. 😀.”
Jelly Roll emphasized that his tour environment now revolves around healthy eating, regular exercise, and daily emotional check-ins with his crew. The artist, who considers sushi his go-to cheat meal, has also resisted indulging.
He is also proud that he is shedding weight naturally and has chosen to avoid Ozempic, citing concerns about its side effects.
The biggest drawback for him is acid reflux, a condition that scares him. As a singer, few things worry him more than the possibility of vomiting, which could harm his vocal cords. His wife, Bunnie XO, is incredibly proud of his dedication to losing weight naturally.
Jelly Roll’s ultimate goal is to achieve the most significant transformation possible and land on the cover of Men’s Health by March 2026. Throughout the process, he remains committed to honesty about his struggles.
Rather than hiding his weight loss journey or feeling ashamed, he wants to bring others along, showing that transformation is possible. His wife once questioned whether he feared “the fat effect,” the trend where Hollywood stars who lose significant weight sometimes see their careers stall.
Jelly Roll recalled a friend who faced difficulties landing roles after slimming down. He believes this happens when someone builds their identity around their size, which is evident in the common stereotype in Hollywood where heavier actors are often cast as sad or comedic figures.
Fortunately, his friend eventually regained momentum in his career. What matters most for Jelly Roll is clarifying that his success was never because of his size but despite it.
Jelly Roll takes immense pride in the impact of his music, believing it resonates with listeners on a deeper level. He sees his songs as more than background tracks for a carefree day, noting that they are meant to help people through life’s challenging moments.
Performing live and meeting fans who have found solace in his lyrics is something he values deeply. If given the chance, he would love to sit down and share a meal with anyone who has ever found comfort in his music.
