Music Artist Jelly Roll Gets Pardoned By Tennessee Governor

Country music star Jelly Roll got a nice surprise on Thursday.

Jason DeFord who goes by the stage name Jelly Roll, received a full pardon from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

DeFord was pardoned for previous crimes he committed nearly two decades ago.

The Hill reported more on Jelly Roll getting pardoned:

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) on Thursday issued a pardon for famed country music star Jason DeFord, whose stage name is Jelly Roll.

DeFord was previously convicted of robbery as a juvenile but was granted parole in 2005. While on parole, he was found in possession of cocaine and was charged with the intent to sell the illegal narcotic, according to WSMV.

DeFord was ultimately released in 2016 with the Tennessee Board of Parole unanimously recommending his pardon earlier this year.

Lee said he was inspired to pardon DeFord following a series of community interventions and investments the star made on behalf of young teens struggling with substance abuse.

“Jelly Roll’s story was remarkable, redemptive, and powerful, and that it was evident he should get a pardon,” Lee said.

DeFord, who has won multiple honors at the CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards and has been nominated for several Grammy awards, used his wealth to support the opening of a new trauma-informed juvenile justice facility in Nashville and to pay college tuition for various students in the state, per WSMV.

Last year, he also testified before Congress, urging lawmakers to pass legislation combating the supply and distribution of fentanyl.

Take a look:

Tennessee's governor pardoned country star Jelly Roll on Thursday for his criminal past in the state, acknowledging the Nashville native's long road back from drugs and prison through soul-searching, songwriting and advocacy for second chances.

The rapper-turned-singer, whose… pic.twitter.com/PKUmTdsTvp

— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 19, 2025

Jelly Roll has also been making headlines after losing over 200lbs.

Take a look:

Jelly Roll could ‘feel himself dying’ before incredible 200-pound weight loss https://t.co/FAojLcyLiv pic.twitter.com/X2rOrwSsJw

— Page Six (@PageSix) December 12, 2025

Page Six reported more on Jelly Roll’s weight loss journey:

Jelly Roll decided to embark on his inspiring 200-pound weight loss journey after feeling like he wasn’t going to make it much longer.

“I could feel myself dying,” Jelly shared during an emotional interview on Wednesday’s episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience.”

The “Bloodline” artist, 41, said that he decided that it was time to make a lifestyle change right around his 39th birthday.

“I thought about it around my birthday ’cause I knew my next [birthday] was 40, and I was like … I don’t think I’ve ever met a 500-pound 40-year-old,” he said.

Jelly Roll said he felt like he had “already cheated the game” after surviving “multiple heart issues.”

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“I was like, man, I should really start trying to figure this out,” he said.

The singer wanted to discuss his struggles with obesity to inspire other people who are “big.”