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Liputan6.com, Jakarta Jelly Roll, a musician known for his blend of hip-hop, country, and country rock, is back in the spotlight.
He recently showed off his new clean-cut beardless look, a drastic change after 10 years of growing a beard.
This change was revealed in an Instagram video on November 20, 2025, alongside the announcement of his three latest Grammy Award nominations.
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Jelly Roll's new look complements his transformation journey, including the significant weight loss he has achieved.
Beyond his physical transformation, 2025 was also a year full of accomplishments for Jelly Roll.
Jelly Roll Looks So Different After Shaving Off His Beard for First Time in 10 Years https://t.co/GzQ3orfxQq pic.twitter.com/kB3zRtLs7G
— E! News (@enews) November 21, 2025
Appearance Transformation and Achievements in 2025
Jelly Roll has been on an impressive weight loss journey since 2022, successfully losing over 200 pounds from a starting weight of over 500 pounds.
This transformation culminated on November 20, 2025, when he surprised fans with his decade-long beardless look.
His wife, Bunnie Xo, had previously hinted at this transformation.
2025 also saw widespread recognition for his work.
Jelly Roll was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for "I Am Not Okay."
He also received nominations for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song ("Hard Fought Hallelujah"), Best Country/Duo Performance ("Amen"), and Best Country Album for Beautifully Broken.
In addition to the Grammys, Jelly Roll also received prestigious nominations at the CMA Awards on November 20, 2025, including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year (Whitsitt Chapel), and Male Artist.
Previously, he won three CMT Music Awards and New Artist of the Year at the 2023 CMA Awards, as well as "Song of the Year" at the 2025 K-Love Fan Awards.
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Jelly Roll's Complete Profile and Career Journey
Born Jason Bradley DeFord on December 4, 1984, in Antioch, Tennessee, Jelly Roll is now 40 years old.
His early life was marked by various challenges, including a difficult family background and several arrests and prison sentences starting at the age of 14.
Jelly Roll began his music career in the hip-hop genre in 2003, inspired by musicians like Three 6 Mafia.
He built a fan base by selling mixtapes out of his car, starting with his first project, The Plain Shmear Tape.
His major breakthrough came after he transitioned to country music around 2021 with the album "Ballads of the Broken."
Singles like "Son of a Sinner" and "Need a Favor," released in 2022, catapulted him onto the national stage.
Jelly Roll's Schedule and Social Advocacy
Despite his numerous achievements and transformations, Jelly Roll remains active with a busy performance schedule.
On November 2, 2025, he performed at the Strummingbird Festival in Perth, Australia, followed by a performance at the Grand Ole Opry on November 4, 2025.
He is also scheduled to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 19, 2025, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour on December 16, 2025, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on December 31, 2025.
In addition to his musical career, Jelly Roll is also known as a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform.
In 2022, he donated $250,000 to build a recording studio at the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center, where he was formerly incarcerated.
In January 2024, he testified before the US Congress in support of anti-fentanyl legislation.
Jelly Roll also expanded his acting career, appearing in the television series Tulsa King and Fire Country, and was the first musical guest on the 50th season premiere of Saturday Night Live in September 2024.
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