Jelly Roll made an unforgettable appearance at the Pre-Grammy Gala on January 31, 2026, alongside his wife, Bunnie Xo. The 41-year-old country music star, who previously weighed 550 lbs., looked nearly unrecognizable as he walked the red carpet arm-in-arm with his wife, the host of the Dumb Blonde Podcast. The couple, who share two children—Bailee Ann, 17, and Noah Buddy, 9—made a powerful statement as they posed for photographers at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, revealed in an interview with Men’s Health that he now weighs approximately 265 lbs., showcasing a remarkable weight loss transformation. For the occasion, he wore an elegant all-black textured suit. Bunnie Xo, 46, stole the spotlight in a daring skintight metallic latex dress. The pair shared playful moments, even stealing a few kisses as the cameras captured their undeniable chemistry.
Behind the scenes, the couple had an amusing story to share. Jelly, who is up for three Grammy Awards this year—including Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken—revealed that Bunnie required a bit of help getting into her outfit.
“This outfit right here involved lubrication, which was actually a lot of fun,” Jelly told PEOPLE, as Bunnie laughed and confirmed, “I had to literally use lube to get into this outfit.” Despite the unconventional wardrobe preparation, Jelly seemed to enjoy the experience thoroughly. “As a husband, man, 10 out of 10 experience,” he said, humorously pointing out, “You get your wife one of these right here.”
In their playful banter, Bunnie joked that her husband had developed a “latex fetish,” prompting Jelly to respond, “I mean, that’s one of those things. You could shine this thing up like an automobile.” He added with a wink, “You could polish the paint off that thing. I might not take this off of her tonight. I might polish it off.” Bunnie, in good humor, quipped, “He’s going to turn me into a slip and slide later.”
Beyond the humorous moments, Jelly Roll has been open about his weight loss journey, which he began in 2022. He shared on The Bobby Bones Show that he had been overweight his entire life, with his mother even giving him the nickname “Jelly Roll” as a child. Now, he says the name feels more fitting as he embraces a healthier lifestyle.
Jelly has consistently highlighted the positive changes his weight loss has brought to his career and personal life. In 2024, he told PEOPLE that his weight loss had completely transformed the way he approaches touring. “It’s cool because there was once a time in life that the culture I built on tour was the opposite,” he said. “It revolved around alcohol and drugs. Now, our tour culture is about good eating, exercising, and emotional check-ins with our crew every day.”
The musician also spoke candidly about the personal benefits he’s experienced since shedding the pounds. “I feel like I’m a teenager, dog,” Jelly shared in a recent Extra interview. “I have the sex drive of a 17-year-old again. We’re having daytime sex again. It’s awesome.”
Jelly Roll’s incredible transformation not only marks a new chapter in his personal life but also stands as a testament to his dedication to health and wellness. As he continues to earn recognition in the music industry, his journey serves as an inspiration to many.
