Jelly Roll Cheers for Cody Johnson at ACM Awards 2025

FRISCO, Texas — Country star Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, was seen on the red carpet at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, where he expressed his support for fellow artist Cody Johnson in the Entertainer of the Year category.

Jelly, 40, shared that while he has many acquaintances in the music industry, he considers Cody Johnson, age 37, one of his closest friends. “I love Cody Johnson so much,” Jelly said. “Since Lainey won it last year, I’m cheering for Cody to win Entertainer of the Year this year.”

The artist, who is nominated for three awards tonight, including Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for his LP *Beautifully Broken*, showcased a notable weight loss transformation, stepping onto the red carpet with a slimmer physique.

In a recent appearance on Pat McAfee’s live show, Jelly revealed he started his journey at 540 pounds and celebrated reaching 357 pounds. “I started at 540 lbs. I’m 357 lbs. [as of] this morning, baby!” he exclaimed. He aims to lose another 100 pounds, aspiring to go skydiving with his wife, Bunnie Xo, in Sweden.

The ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, are streaming live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. It marks a significant event, celebrating the best in country music for its 60th edition. The awards show brings together many top stars, including Jelly Roll, who hopes to take home the coveted titles.

Jelly’s enthusiasm for the industry and genuine camaraderie with peers like Cody Johnson highlights the spirit of the ACM Awards. Johnson, who previously had numerous nominations, is also a strong contender this year.