By now, everyone knows that Jelly Roll went to prison, but did you know his worst day behind bars lasted six months?
This list of 27 stunning Jelly Roll facts includes the verified truth about his raising, his checkered past, his marriage and the people he’s closest to today.
Updated in 2025, we zoom in on Jelly Roll’s health journey to identify his ultimate goal. It’s clear it’s not just about appearances. The “Heart of Stone” singer’s mental health is probably even more important as he attempts to balance a very busy professional life with his personal goals.
Related: Jelly Roll’s Stunning Weight Loss Journey In 28 Pictures
This singer has been beat up, insulted, imprisoned and spit on (figuratively, put perhaps literally, too), but came out smiling. It’s rare you’ll hear him complain about anything or anyone. Professionally, he’s as driven as Garth Brooks was three decades ago, and he’s started to collect the rewards that come with so much hard work.
Who Is Jelly Roll?
Jelly Roll’s real name is Jason DeFord, and he was born in Nashville on Dec. 4, 1984. He grew up in a home shattered by divorce and addiction in an area of town (Antioch) that earned a reputation for trouble.
By the time he was a teenager, he was on the streets dealing drugs. That caught up with him, and he’s described his actions and consequences in detail during interviews and his Save Me documentary on Hulu.
Picture of Jelly Roll with wife Bunnie Xo
After a career as an independent rap and rock artist, he came to country music with “Son of a Sinner” in 2021. That song soared to No. 1, and he has followed it up with two more, “Need a Favor” and “Save Me.”
Jelly Roll’s wife Bunnie Xo came into view during this time, as well. Naturally, fans began wanting to know about his children.
No one would argue that commercial success has caused Jelly Roll to forget where he came from. Several of the facts below refer to his charitable efforts, while others leave space that we can now fill in after the bad thing is a memory.
Scroll down to learn more truths about Jelly Roll, or watch the above video for a more immersive experience.
Jelly Roll: 27 Stunning Facts About the ‘Save Me’ Singer
Jelly Roll is country music’s most fascinating character. His life has taken dozens of wild twists and turns, and he’s been honest about all of it. Here are 27 facts about the “Save Me” singer and his family.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
