When Jelly Roll blew up in the country music scene, he was pushing 550 pounds. After reaching massive success nearly overnight, he started on a weight loss journey. He’s lost over 200 pounds in the last few years. In a candid interview, he opened up about feeling like he was “dying” before losing weight.
Jelly Roll Says He Was ‘Dying’ Before Massive Weight Loss
Jelly Roll turned 41 in early December. At one point, he never thought he would live to be 40. After being in and out of prison in his younger years, Jelly Roll worked hard to turn his life around. He’s currently seeking a pardon for his crimes. He left the criminal life behind him years ago. He’s quit drugs, married a good woman, and begun a successful music career. But one thing nearly ruined all of that. His weight.
The “I Need a Favor” singer returned to Joe Rogan’s podcast this week with an update on his weight loss journey. Jelly Roll grew up in Antioch, Tennessee, and struggled with his weight for his entire life. But he had a light-bulb moment ahead of his milestone birthday.
“I thought about it around my birthday, ‘cause I knew my next one was 40. You know what, I don’t think I’ve ever met a 500-pound 40-year-old,” he said on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Joe Rogan chimed in, “That’s usually when they drop off.”
The “Son of a Sinner” singer said that he had “multiple” heart issues due to his weight. “I was like, ‘man, I should really start trying to figure this out.’ I could feel myself dying, Joe,” Jelly Roll revealed.
Jelly Roll on his weight loss journey with Joe Rogan:
JELLY: “I could feel myself dying Joe. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 500 pound 40 year old. When I first came to your club I couldn’t even walk up the steps without stopping.”
ROGAN: “Even your HANDS are smaller.” pic.twitter.com/HB3kuRj2J2
— Joe Rogan Recaps (@JoeRoganRecaps) December 11, 2025
He knew he had to do something. The first step was completely changing his diet. “It was a biological loop that I didn’t know how to interrupt,” he said about his addiction to food.
With the right diet and a trainer, Jelly Roll has lost over 200 pounds, and he’s not stopping anytime soon. He denied using weight loss medications, citing the side effect of acid reflux potentially hurting his voice.
He Opens Up ‘Horrible’ S*x With Bunnie Xo
Jelly Roll was pretty heavy when he met his now-wife, Bunnie Xo, in 2015. She’s been supportive of his weight loss journey. However, he admitted to Joe Rogan that his weight became an issue in the bedroom.
“Dude, I married a f—— big titty blonde beautiful woman, dog. You know what I mean? I married the kind of woman that makes you smile when you’re crying, Joe,” Jelly Roll said.
He continued, “I couldn’t even get aroused, I was so big. I was having to play Twister to have s*x.” Jelly Roll recently shaved off his beard for the first time. Bunnie Xo said it was the first time she saw his “naked” face.
Once Jelly Roll loses enough weight, he plans to have skin removal surgery. Stay tuned for more on his amazing weight loss journey.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
