Country singer Jelly Roll showcased a markedly slimmer figure in Instagram photos from a concert in Vatican City, saying he has shed more than 200 pounds since beginning his weight-loss effort in 2022.
The 40-year-old, born Jason Bradley DeFord, posted images from the Grace for the World concert on Monday and wrote, “I can fit in Louis Vuitton now. Pray for my bank account,” while thanking Skateboard P and others who helped stage the event. He performed at the historic Vatican show wearing the designer label and expressed gratitude to those involved in making the concert happen.
Jelly Roll has publicly documented his long struggle with obesity and substance abuse. In 2018 he said he once weighed as much as 500 pounds. He began a focused weight-loss program in 2022 and had lost 100 pounds by October 2024, a milestone he celebrated while on his "Beautifully Broken" tour. The singer said at the time that he planned to continue getting in shape, and his progress has continued into 2025.
Nutrition coach Ian Larios has described adjustments to the singer’s diet and activity levels while touring, including cutting batter and excess oil from favorite dishes and increasing movement during shows and between venues by walking arenas, playing basketball and boxing. Jelly Roll has also been touring with Post Malone on the latter’s stadium run that began in April and ran through July, and the pair performed together at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7.
Fellow artists responded to the Instagram post with compliments. Rapper Fat Joe wrote, "You look amazing," and Machine Gun Kelly left clapping emojis. Jelly Roll’s wife, Alisa DeFord, who posts as Bunnie Xo, commented, "The hunkiest hunk of them all 😍." The couple previously said Jelly Roll stepped away from social media in April 2024 after facing persistent online bullying about his weight.
The singer has linked his weight-loss work to broader efforts at recovery and health after battling addiction and substance abuse earlier in his life. He has used tour stops and public appearances to share progress with fans, and his stage presence alongside Post Malone has drawn attention to the scale of his transformation.
Jelly Roll and Post Malone have developed a close professional relationship and are scheduled to appear on another joint tour in 2026. The singer’s public updates, onstage performances and social-media posts have marked milestones in a multi-year effort that his team and fans have followed closely.
His recent Instagram message also included a public expression of thanks: "A hundred thousand thank-yous to the legend Skateboard P, his team, and everyone else that had a hand in making last night happen," he wrote, underscoring the collaborative nature of large-scale live events. The Vatican City performance was part of that wider calendar of appearances that has accompanied his continued weight-loss and recovery journey.
As Jelly Roll continues to perform and promote new music, his publicly documented changes in health and appearance have become part of his narrative as an artist who has overcome personal challenges while maintaining a high-profile touring schedule.