Jelly Roll Picks His Favourite for 2025 ACM Awards Entertainer of the Year
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In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jelly Roll, the country star, revealed his choice for the Entertainer of the Year award at the 2025 ACM Awards. Known for hits like “Save Me,” Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, expressed his support for a particular peer to take home the coveted award this year. While at the event’s red carpet, the 40-year-old artist shared that he has many acquaintances but only a few close friends, with Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson being two of his best pals.
His choice for the Entertainer of the Year is Cody Johnson, a 37-year-old musician known for his song “Dirt Cheap.” Jelly emphasized his admiration for Johnson, stating, “I love Cody Johnson so much,” and mentioning that he is cheering for him after Lainey Wilson won the award last year.
Jelly Roll also took the opportunity to showcase his recent weight loss achievement on the red carpet. Just a month earlier, he had shared progress on his weight loss journey during an appearance on Pat McAfee’s “Big Night AHT” live show. The host, McAfee, applauded Jelly’s transformation, pointing out his significant weight loss from 540 lbs to 357 lbs. Jelly even disclosed his plan to lose another 100 lbs so he could go skydiving with his wife in Sweden.
The musician’s dedication to his weight loss goals was evident when he joined his wife, Bunnie Xo, on her podcast, “Dumb Blonde,” in December 2024. During the podcast, he expressed his desire to be on the cover of Men’s Health magazine by March 2026, aiming for one of the most remarkable transformations. Jelly Roll is not just focusing on his health but also on his music career; he is nominated for three awards at the 2025 ACM Awards – Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year for his 2024 LP, “Beautifully Broken.”
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, was streamed live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The star-studded event featured performances by top artists such as Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Lionel Richie, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, and Miranda Lambert. Fans of country music eagerly awaited the results of the awards ceremony to see if Jelly Roll’s pick for Entertainer of the Year would come out on top.
As the music industry continues to celebrate its talents and achievements, artists like Jelly Roll serve as inspirations not only through their music but also through their personal growth journeys. The 2025 ACM Awards highlighted not just the best in country music but also the resilience and determination of artists like Jelly Roll who are constantly evolving and striving for greatness.