Jelly Roll is shining brighter than ever, having shed 110 pounds and committed to a healthier lifestyle. This week, the country music star (real name Jason Bradley DeFord), 39, sat down for a fresh cover photoshoot and gave an exclusive interview with People magazine.
In the interview, the “Need a Favor” singer shared his journey of conquering food addiction and transforming his perspective on food, a struggle that has lasted nearly four decades. “The battle was with the food addiction, changing the way I’ve looked at food for the last 39 years,” the Grammy nominee shared.
Jelly Roll Shows Off His 110-Lb Weight Loss Progress In New People Cover Photoshoot
The "Winning Streak" artist continued: "I’ve never had a healthy relationship with food, so that was the hard part. But once you get into that discipline and commitment, it’s like an avalanche. Once that little snowball started rolling, it was on its way." Jelly Roll also shared with the publication that he believes he's shed between 60 and 70 pounds during his current tour, which started in August and is set to conclude by the end of this month.
He also mentioned that he and his team engage in daily basketball games while on tour to stay in shape. Additionally, the "Save Me" hitmaker has entirely revamped his habits during travel, focusing on exercise and healthy eating.
"It’s cool because there was once a time in life that the culture I built on tour was the opposite. It revolved around alcohol and drugs," he explained. "And now our tour culture is around good eating and around exercising and doing emotional check-ins with our crew every day."
Jelly Roll openly shared that his battle with food addiction started during his childhood in Antioch, Tennessee. He told the publication: "Nobody in my house ever had [a healthy relationship with food], so that was the hard part, really fighting that demon at first and getting into that discipline and that commitment."
This new interview comes one month after Jelly Roll's go-to health expert shared some of the "Son of a Sinner" musician's favorite snacks and meals that have contributed to his weight loss success. Jelly Roll has shed the pounds over the past year, as revealed by his chef and nutrition coach Ian Larios, in an Instagram video posted for Jelly Roll’s 3.4 million followers in October.
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At the beginning of the clip, Jelly Roll told fans: “When I see y’all in March … y’all aren’t gonna recognize me. That’s why, next year, when y’all see me, you won’t recognize me. I’m going to get under a pile of weights in a way that I never had.”
Earlier this year, the singer and rapper (who is currently on his Beautifully Broken Tour) candidly shared his ambitious goal of achieving significant weight loss.
After first dropping 70 lbs, Jelly Roll told People in April: “I plan on losing another 100, 100-and-something [pounds]. If I feel this good down this weight, man, I can only imagine what I’m going to feel like by the time I go on tour.” Then, months later on IG, Larios provided an update for fans of the “Halfway to Hell” artist.
"We just passed the halfway point of the tour and Jelly has been crushing it," the health expert said in the video, also noting that Jelly Roll "surpassed his 100-pound weight loss." Larios explained: "That 100-pound weight loss goal since his last tour is huge." Larios also said that the father of two has kept himself busy and fit between gigs and travels by engaging in activities like walking, playing basketball, and boxing.
In addition to his exercise regimen, Larios mentioned that his crooner client has been paying close attention to his diet. "One of his favorite pre-show snacks is bananas. We're making this one a little bit fancier today [with] manuka honey [and some] dark chocolate that we grate over the top," Larios said while showing viewers how he prepares the snack for Jelly Roll.
The chef then showcased his method for crafting a high-protein take on Nashville-style hot chicken and fries, specially prepared for Jelly Roll before a concert.
"We air fry it. It tricks your brain into thinking this is like that nice, greasy Nashville deep-fried, hot chicken. He's gonna feel like he's eating at home," Larios revealed. "It's healthy. It's air-fried, full of protein that helps him stay on track."
Jelly Roll consistently earns admiration from fans for his heartfelt performances, commanding vocals, poignant lyrics, and noticeable recent weight loss, as reflected in the enthusiastic comments on his social media posts.
