Jelly Roll Addresses Ozempic Speculation Following 275-Pound Weight Loss

<figure><img alt="Jelly Roll" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/B3ECMPG4IVCLJGYLZDXBFLNPVA.jpg?auth=acee6fb1f5f7cd1913476431643676f84c810d467e40938db6dd589def83411b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3000&amp;height=1688" /><figcaption>Jason Kempin/Getty Images;Mario Anzuoni/Reuters</figcaption></figure><p>Jelly Roll, the 41-year-old country artist whose real name is Jason DeFord, addressed speculation regarding the weight-loss medication Ozempic during his guest appearance on <i>Jimmy Kimmel Live!</i> on August 26. This discussion followed comments made by Fox News host Jesse Watters, who suggested that Jelly Roll's significant weight loss was linked to the medication.</p><img alt="Jelly Roll addresses Ozempic rumors after losing 275 pounds. / Mario Anzuoni/Reuters" height="3667" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/5THRK3CVINDRTJ43KQATKDO42M.JPG?auth=a75d7b348994fb0051c4335cec2305c1e8b087e476ae9fefdf9d06d403a89d92&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5500&amp;height=3667" width="5500" /><p>During his monologue, Jelly Roll played a clip of Watters discussing what he termed "Trump Derangement Syndrome," humorously suggesting that Ozempic should carry a warning label due to its alleged side effects. Jelly Roll responded, stating, "First of all, Jesse, I’ll have you know Ozempic is the only drug I haven’t tried. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I lost weight the old-fashioned way: cocaine." He later clarified that this was a joke, emphasizing that he achieved his weight loss through diet and exercise.</p><p>Jelly Roll's weight-loss journey began in earnest in 2023, during which he lost a total of 275 pounds, dropping from 540 pounds to approximately 265 pounds by late 2025. He has been candid about the impact of his weight on his life, describing himself as a "prisoner to my own body" and discussing his struggles with food addiction and physical limitations.</p><img alt="He worked on his relationship with food as well as his substance abuse. / Instagram/Jelly Roll" height="1688" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/6AVNSE4EPRHGRKBUAEB7I22MCM.jpg?auth=7d7514bd42e8e7fe621607f22c11e1252d7b3b04cc98b5b092af56dc64a3ab0c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3000&amp;height=1688" width="3000" /><p>To facilitate his weight loss, Jelly Roll collaborated with a medical team, a chef, and a sports nutritionist, focusing on diet, exercise, and mental health. He also approached his relationship with food as an addiction, drawing from his experiences in recovery from substance abuse.</p><p>While Jelly Roll has consistently stated that he did not depend on GLP-1 medications for his transformation, he acknowledged that he briefly tried weight-loss medication early in his journey but discontinued it after two weeks.</p><img alt="In February, Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie Xo, revealed that she took GLP-1 medication. / SHELBY TAUBER / Shelby Tauber/Reuters" height="3245" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/YHSKLLDYANCFVG27KOMVA7WH7E.JPG?auth=d5ced39f47341911610567e34a3edf684b916b5be15988cb92e68ccc12276c13&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4868&amp;height=3245" width="4868" /><p>His comments come after his former wife, Bunnie Xo, shared her experience with a GLP-1 medication, revealing that she experienced suicidal ideation while using it. Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, stated that she began taking the medication due to family history with diabetes and struggles with insulin levels.</p><img alt="Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll filed for divorce in May, citing irreconcilable differences. They were married for nearly a decade. / Brianna Bryson / WireImage" height="1571" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/CQYPNDYCN5FDBBQ3KRBLCCG7PM.jpeg?auth=819e2b9c9bd4efea15b50c1218e6eba935eec3ff7b8616290e96b5f61d333d99&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2793&amp;height=1571" width="2793" /><p>Jelly Roll and Bunnie met in 2015 and were married in 2016. They renewed their vows in 2023 but filed for divorce in May 2026, citing irreconcilable differences, with the divorce finalized in July.</p><p>If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.</p><video id="DnMrDKWv" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DnMrDKWv/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DnMrDKWv.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video><p></p>