jelly roll – Topical Fruit

Jelly Roll Used to Think He Was Going to Die in His Sleep

Before his weight loss journey began, Jelly Roll didn’t just feel unhealthy—he genuinely believed he might not survive the night.

According to his health coach, Gary Brecka, the country star’s condition was so serious that Jelly would sleep propped up on his side, wedged between pillows, because lying on his back meant he couldn’t breathe. In fact, every morning, Jelly Roll would wake up and thank God he hadn’t died in his sleep.

The Grammy-nominated artist has been open about the emotional toll behind his health struggles, often tying it back to childhood trauma and ongoing battles with mental health.

But this new peek behind the curtain gives us a sense of just how dire things had gotten before he made a change.

Brecka shared more details in a recent interview, saying that when Jelly Roll first reached out, he didn’t sugarcoat a thing. His first message? “Do you work with fat people?” That blunt moment sparked a full-on partnership that changed Jelly’s life.

Jelly Roll at the 2023 CMT Music Awards held at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)

At the time, Jelly Roll weighed around 500 pounds. He couldn’t even turn down the volume in his car without hearing himself wheeze at red lights. It wasn’t just about appearance or fitness, it was survival.

These days, Jelly has a full team supporting his transformation, including trainers and a personal chef. But Brecka says the biggest factor was always Jelly Roll himself.

From day one, it was clear Jelly was ready. “He was committed,” Gary said. “You could see it in his eyes.”

Jelly has also been using his platform to inspire others, showing that real change doesn’t always start with a perfect plan—it can start with one brutally honest question and the willingness to face it head-on.

As his story continues to unfold, it’s clear that Jelly Roll’s health journey is about a lot more than weight loss. It’s about healing, redemption, and proving that it’s never too late to fight for your life.

Jelly Roll Says His Wife’s Not a Gold Digger, He Is

A throwback clip from “The Joe Rogan Experience” is making waves again—and this time, it’s Jelly Roll setting the record straight about his relationship with wife Bunnie XO.

For anyone spreading rumors that Bunnie was only in it for the money, the country star had a blunt (and kind of amazing) reality check.

In the clip, Jelly Roll says, “My wife was a high-end escort her whole life. That’s what she did when I met her. I was broke. I was living in a 1996 van. And this woman had like two condos, and a few sports cars… She was never the gold digger. I was.”

Internet, take notes.

This moment originally aired on Rogan’s podcast some time ago, but fans have recently rediscovered it, sharing the clip all over. It’s resonating with viewers who appreciate how candid Jelly Roll is—and how quick he is to praise his wife’s independence.

The couple has become one of the most talked-about love stories in country music—not just for their unfiltered personalities, but for how openly they discuss the ups and downs of their past. Jelly has credited Bunnie with helping him turn his life around, and the internet clearly can’t get enough of their ride-or-die vibe.

You can check out the full interview here.

Jelly Roll Is Stepping Into the Ring at WWE SummerSlam

Country star Jelly Roll has been dropping pounds like a champ—but now he’s about to throw them around. The Grammy-nominated singer is officially headed to the WWE SummerSlam ring next month, and it’s not just a quick cameo. He’s set to tag-team against none other than Logan Paul.

Let that sink in for a second: Jelly Roll. In a WWE ring. Throwing punches.

It all started Friday night in Nashville during an episode of WWE SmackDown, where Jelly was on hand to kick things off with a live performance of his #1 hit, “Liar”. But before he could even finish the first verse, Logan Paul stormed in and stole the spotlight—classic Logan move.

Paul wasn’t exactly subtle. He told Jelly, “Everyone is here to see real WWE superstars… this ring is sacred… you belong on a stage, not a WWE ring.”

Then came the cherry on top: “I’m disgusted by celebrities leeching off our success in this industry.” Bold words from a guy who entered the WWE as a celebrity influencer.

To be fair, Logan’s proven himself inside the ropes. Since debuting in 2021, he’s been surprisingly good—athletic, committed, and occasionally even respected by fans. But to many diehards, he’s still an outsider. Which is why this feud has legs.

After the verbal sparring, WWE legend Randy Orton hit the scene to confront Paul. Then chaos broke out: Drew McIntyre ambushed Orton, Logan joined in, and Jelly Roll—yes, Jelly again—yanked Logan off Orton. Bad move. Logan retaliated by trashing Jelly’s music setup.

So now it’s official: At WWE SummerSlam on August 2nd and 3rd, we’ll see Jelly Roll and Randy Orton team up to take on Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.

It’s part music-meets-mayhem, part revenge tour, and 100% made for viral moments.

Jelly Roll’s been on a transformative journey lately—shedding weight, topping charts, and now trading jabs with WWE’s most controversial star. Is he ready for the squared circle?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 12: Jelly Roll enters the ring during Saturday Night’s Main Event at State Farm Arena on July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 12: Jelly Roll in action against Logan Paul during Saturday Night’s Main Event at State Farm Arena on July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)

Jelly Roll Says He’s Quitting the Music Industry?

Jelly Roll is having a moment.

The genre-bending artist just landed features on both Lil Wayne’s and Eminem’s albums in the same year, a feat so big he joked he’s ready to hang it up for good. “I was on Lil Wayne and Eminem’s album in the same year, y’all… I retire. It’s over, y’all. I quit the music business,” he said in a video posted by his wife, Bunnie Xo, on Instagram. “This is my last tour ever. I can’t do anything cooler.”

He’s kidding, of course. But the moment still marks a massive personal victory for the Nashville native who started out in hip-hop and worked his way up through country, rock, and beyond.

Jelly Roll has never been easy to pin down musically, which makes his appearance on Lil Wayne’s newly released Tha Carter VI all the more fitting.

He shows up on the track “Sharks” alongside Big Sean, adding his signature gravelly voice to the mix. The song dropped this past Friday, coinciding with the full album release.

For Jelly, this is more than just a guest feature- it’s a career milestone that speaks volumes about how far he’s come. He was once writing lyrics behind bars. Now he’s on the same albums as rap royalty.

Despite the retirement joke, Jelly’s clearly not slowing down. He’s currently on the road with Post Malone as part of the “Big Ass Stadium Tour,” bringing his soulful catalog to massive crowds across the country.

Social media lit up with fans cheering the crossover success. Many see it as long-overdue recognition for an artist who’s never played by industry rules. Jelly’s blend of vulnerability, grit, and emotional storytelling has resonated far beyond any single genre- now it’s earning him a seat at the table with the very artists who inspired him.

And while he may not actually be retiring, it’s safe to say: Jelly Roll is officially in rare air.

Jelly Roll Starts Show Off with a Bang—Literally, Right into a Fan’s Head

Post Malone and Jelly Roll are kicking butt on their Big Ass Stadium Tour. And their show over the weekend started off with a bang—unfortunately, the bang was straight into a fan’s scalp.

During a show in Toronto, a rogue firework went off at just the wrong moment and hit a woman in the head while she was filming Jelly Roll performing “Save Me.” The lyrics “I’m so damaged beyond repair” were playing when the flaming projectile smacked her, which honestly feels like a little too on-the-nose. Her hair even started smoking.

She later posted from a hospital bed with the caption, “Ouch I have a burn now, it hurts.” Not exactly the souvenir she had in mind.

Thankfully, she’s okay—just a little crispy—but the moment was caught on video and has since gone viral.

Internet detectives quickly dug up comments from other fans saying this kind of thing has happened before at a Post Malone concert. One woman said firework debris went down the back of her jacket. That’s not the kind of warm feeling you go to a concert for. So maybe tone it down on the explosives, fellas?

Just because your show’s on fire doesn’t mean your fans should be.

Comments have been flooding in from people hoping Jelly and Post reach out to help cover her medical bills—or at least hook her up with tickets that come with hazard pay and a complimentary helmet.

No official word from the artists yet, but if she does go to another show, she better keep her head on a swivel.

https://www.tiktok.com/@bartlett.xo/video/7508929946912394552?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C121477481%2C121351166%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C73347566%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121503376%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=americansongwriter.com%2Ffan-struck-in-the-head-by-firework-at-post-malone-jelly-roll-concert-in-toronto%2F&referer_video_id=7508929946912394552

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 06: Jelly Roll performs onstage during Jelly Roll & Friends at Billy Bob’s Texas on May 06, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) Don’t worry he’s not laughing at the lady who took a firework to the head.

Jelly Roll Might Get a Full Pardon for His Crimes

The Tennessee Board of Parole has officially recommended that Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, receive a full pardon for past convictions, including felony aggravated assault and drug-related offenses. The decision, which came unanimously, now awaits final approval from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

Despite his musical success, Jelly Roll’s felony record has continued to cast a shadow over his life. International travel for performances has remained a major barrier, often preventing him from expanding his career beyond U.S. borders. A pardon would not only restore his civil rights but could also remove these obstacles, allowing for more freedom both personally and professionally.

From Inmate to Inspiration

Jelly Roll has been candid about his troubled past, using both his music and platform to highlight his journey through addiction, incarceration, and personal growth. At the parole hearing, he told the board:

“I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be . . . to let them know that change is truly possible.”

He was supported at the hearing by Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, who has publicly advocated for Jelly Roll’s pardon. Following the meeting, Hall shared this on social media:

“One year ago I wrote Governor Bill Lee asking for a full pardon for Jason ‘Jelly Roll’ DeFord . . . Today the board unanimously recommended his pardon. It’s now in the hands of our governor.”

What’s Next?

The final decision rests with Governor Lee, who has not yet commented publicly on the recommendation. If granted, the pardon would remove Jelly Roll’s criminal convictions from his record — a symbolic and practical victory for someone who has worked hard to rewrite his life story.