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Jelly Roll talks about how his weight loss journey has impacted different areas of his life.
The 41-year-old country star spoke to Extra about the overall impact of her weight loss journey after the live premiere of Netflix’s Star Search. Jelly Roll (real name Jason Deford) told the outlet that he has lost 300 pounds. It made him a “better father.”
“I grew closer to God. I grew closer to myself. I became a better father,” he told the outlet. “I’ve been spending more time with my kids. Look, I’m coaching my son’s basketball team this year.”
“These are kids. I’m not coaching here like a competitive team or anything, but I just feel like I’ve gotten better physically and I feel like I can physically do (things),” he continued. “When you weigh 550 pounds, you wonder if there’s a seat big enough for you. You know what I mean? I’d never try to coach a team. I’d wonder if there’s a bench to sit on, right? So for me to make that much of a difference (and) lose weight, it’s like a god thing…I’m a whole different person.”
The proud father began his journey into fatherhood for the first time in May 2008 with the birth of his daughter, Bailey Ann. Eight years later, they expanded their family with son Noah Buddy in August 2016. Jelly Roll and his wife Bunny Zoe are looking forward to growing their family even more in the future.
On May 8, the artist spoke with Access Hollywood on the carpet at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards and gave an update on his and Bunny Zoe’s IVF journey.
“We are really on a journey,” he told the outlet. “To all our friends who know our journey and have prayed for us and supported us, we know how difficult it is. Thank you for praying for us. We are still trying.”
Both the “All My Life” singer and Bunny Zoe (real name Alyssa Deford) have been vocal about their desire to expand their family. In fact, Jelly Roll has said in the past that the desire to see her children and future new companions grow up was what inspired her to lose weight. In June 2024, Jelly Roll appeared on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast and revealed that he had decided to lose over 60 pounds in order to live longer.
“My wife and I have been talking about having children, but as I neared 40, I really realized that I had to live until I was at least 60,” said Jelly Roll. “I had to get this kid into college.”
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The proud father never misses an opportunity to spend quality time with his children. Back in December, he was sitting courtside next to his son, Noah Buddy, at a basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Illinois Fighting Illini in Nashville. It was a rare father-son outing, as the two enjoyed a college basketball game together.
In December 2024, Jelly Roll’s son also joined him on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. While still a teenager, Jelly Roll talked to Entertainment Tonight about his love of Sonic and his father’s music.
“Sonic is my favorite character,” the then 8-year-old revealed. When asked which of his father’s songs was his favorite, Noah excitedly answered on the show, “Creature!”
