Country star Jelly Roll, known for his candid storytelling and larger‑than‑life presence, has revealed a striking new look that marks yet another chapter in his transformation. In a November 20 Instagram clip, the 40‑year‑old artist shared his clean‑shaven face and noticeably leaner build, revealing for the first time in a decade a jawline previously hidden behind his signature beard.
The decision to shave his beard, which he had kept for 10 years, came after his wife, Bunnie Xo, shared a sneak peek of the process on November 13. She posted video of him in the midst of facial‑hair removal—first trimming scruff to a goatee, then to a mustache, and finally bare‑faced—promising fans he would unveil the result when he felt ready. The couple’s playful tone underscored the personal nature of the change.
Jelly Roll explained that part of the reason he kept the beard related to his previous weight. Having weighed more than 550 lbs at one point, he began a weight‑loss journey in 2022 that has seen dramatic progress through daily exercise, nutritional changes and mental‑health check‑ins on tour. With his slimmer physique revealed in the video, he quipped that without his beard he feels like “a Ninja Turtle,” acknowledging the novelty of the moment after a decade of facial hair.
Importantly, Jelly Roll emphasized that he did not use Ozempic or similar medications to reach his current state. He said he was “petrified” of potential side‑effects—such as acid reflux—and instead committed to changing habits rather than seeking a quick fix. His openness about both his physical transformation and his emotional journey underscores a new chapter in his artistic and personal life.
While the beard removal may appear cosmetic, it coincides with more substantive changes. The stripped‑back look mirrors a stripped‑down tour culture: fewer indulgences, more self‑care, healthier meals and a renewed focus on purpose. For fans of his music, which blends country sensibilities with raw autobiographical energy, the visual shift may mark a symbolic evolution in his sound and outlook.
Jelly Roll’s reinvention arrives at a time when he remains a fixture in the country and adult‑contemporary spaces, appealing to listeners with his authenticity and vulnerability. The revelation of his new image is likely to generate buzz, but the transition also suggests a deeper narrative: a man rewriting his story visibly and audibly.