During his weight loss journey, Jelly Roll puts his mental health first.
In an interview with Fox News Digital on the red carpet of the 2023 CMA Awards, the rising country music star explained that he prioritizes his happiness and doesn’t have a specific weight loss goal.
“I don’t even have a goal when it comes to health,” he began. “I just want to keep doing the right thing and feel better. I’m starting to find a will to live and I want to commit to it, that’s all. I just want to be happier.”
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2023 CMAS RED CARPET: LAINEY WILSON, KEITH URBAN, NICOLE KIDMAN, MORGAN WALLEN, POST MALONE SHINE AT THE EVENT
Jelly Roll focuses on his happiness during his weight loss journey. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Jelly Roll, whose full name is Jason Bradley DeFord, noted, “Weight is usually directly related to mental health, so I try to get that under control and the rest follows that.”
On Wednesday night, Jelly Roll won its first CMA Award and was named New Artist of the Year.
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WATCH: JELLY ROLL EXPLAINS THAT BEING “HAPPIER” IS THE TOP PRIORITY IN HIS WEIGHT JOURNEY
After the awards ceremony, Jelly Roll told Fox News Digital he was “overwhelmed” and “living in glory.”
“I can’t touch my phone tonight. I was just cheering with my wife and watching the show with Zach Bryan,” he said.
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WATCH: JELLY ROLL SAYS HE’S ‘OVERWHELMED’ AFTER 2023 CMA AWARD WIN
“For most of the evening I felt like I was at a concert, it was a great experience. I will never forget that in any way possible,” concluded Jelly Roll.
During his acceptance speech, Jelly Roll shared words of wisdom for anyone who feels like they are behind in life.
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“There’s something poetic about a 39-year-old man being named new artist of the year,” he said on stage. “I don’t know where you are in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby. I want to tell you that success lies on the other side. I want to.” I want to tell you that everything will be okay. I’m here to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason, because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you. Let’s celebrate, Nashville.”
Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie XO attended the 2023 CMA Awards. (Getty Images)
Before the show began, Jelly Roll told Fox News Digital that one of his wish lists was to attend the CMA Awards.
“So I just want to preface this by saying the next step for me would be the Grammys,” Jelly Roll said.
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Jelly Roll and Wynonna Judd appeared on stage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards on November 8th. (Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage)
Ahead of country music’s biggest night of the year, Jelly Roll opened up about his past.
“Without what I went through, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I think it gave me strength. I think it gave me my voice,” he told Fox News Digital exclusively. “It taught me a lot about overcoming. It taught me a lot about change and the ability to change.”
WATCH: JELLY ROLL SAYS ATTENDING THE CMA AWARDS WAS ON HIS “BUCKET LIST”
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“I was a terrible person for decades, and for me to be able to just turn that around and use music to convey a message and help people… and just try to give back as much as I can in any way I can is very indicative of where I’m at.” “I come here and how important it is to me to always come back.”
The “Save Me” singer has taken country music by storm with his welcoming and honest approach to storytelling. At the 2023 CMA Awards, he led the field as most nominated male artist with five awards and took home one award.
Jelly Roll embraces every step of his journey to success in country music. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
“To hear that you’ve been nominated the most is just unreal,” he said. “You know, I honestly didn’t… I don’t know if I even expected to be nominated, you know, and wake up, get the nominations and then be the guy with the most nominations? Then to turn around and be asked “to open the actual show?”
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The “Son of a Sinner” musician has indeed had a wild ride. He grew up writing poetry in suburban Nashville and cites Johnny Cash, Bob Seger and James Taylor as musical influences, alongside Three 6 Mafia and the hip-hop duo UGK. He received his nickname from his mother, who also instilled in him a love for a wide range of music.
Jelly Roll, whose full name is Jason Bradley DeFord, won his first CMA Award on Wednesday night. (Kevin Winter)
Jelly Roll’s eclectic style and tattooed face aren’t what many country fans are used to. He got his start in the music scene selling mixtapes and released more than a dozen independent catalogs before releasing his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, earlier this year.
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He has spoken openly over the years about his battle with addiction, once serving a prison sentence for aggravated robbery and possession with intent to sell charges.
Jelly Roll won New Artist of the Year at the 2023 CMA Awards. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“The more this thing grows and the more people we help and the more I start to deal with my past and the things that have affected me and my own mental health issues, the more I have a will to live,” he said.
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“I trained. I lost weight slowly but surely. After the tour I’ve lost about 45-50 (pounds) and I’m going into the CMAs.”
Jelly Roll told Fox News Digital that attending the CMA Awards is on his “bucket list.” (Getty Images)
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He added: “I’m drinking less than ever and feeling incredible. I drink water like a fish. I’ll get it out of here. I want to touch people as long as I can.” “
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Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.