Jelly Roll, 40, Reveals Illness Struggles During His Australia Tour

The 40-year-old "Wild Ones" hitmaker opened up about the challenges he faced while touring abroad and what forced him to cancel a scheduled performance.

Fans were left reeling as country music's larger-than-life star, Jelly Roll, recently pulled the plug on a major New Zealand concert. But now, the singer is opening up about the real reason behind his shocking cancellation.

Jelly Roll performs on Day Two of Harvest Rock in Adelaide, Australia, on October 26, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

In a vulnerable podcast appearance, he revealed that physical illness and emotional strain while far from home became too much to bear.

Jelly Roll performs at the Strummingbird Festival in Perth, Australia, on November 2, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

Life on Tour Takes a Toll

In the November 10, 2025, episode of the No Filter podcast, titled "From Prison Cells to Country Stardom: The Incredible Story of Jelly Roll," hosted by Kate Langbroek, Jelly Roll didn't hold back as he described the toll of his overseas tour.

Without access to his usual tour bus, the star found himself navigating unfamiliar cities alone, confined to hotel rooms, and cut off from the grounding routines he relies on.

Jelly Roll speaks with No Filter podcast host Kate Langbroek about the emotional and physical toll of touring internationally, as posted on November 10, 2025 | Source: YouTube/NoFilterpod

The singer admitted it was mentally draining, saying he had to use calming techniques just to get through each day. Although he missed his family deeply, he confessed that his biggest battle was physical illness.

Being sick triggered a deep urge for him to return home, even in safe or comfortable surroundings. "So it's like, I just don't feel good. So I just want to go home," he said.

During the interview, Jelly Roll describes how the absence of a tour bus and constant isolation have affected his mental health on the road, as posted on November 10, 2025 | Source: YouTube/NoFilterpod

Later in the conversation, the podcast host asked how he manages his mental health on the road, and Jelly Roll responded, "I'm falling apart. It's a horrible week. Yeah, I'm doing the worst mentally I've done in a long time."

Jelly Roll reacts as he explains the severity of his ongoing stomach issues and their impact on his mental clarity while performing, as posted on November 10, 2025 | Source: YouTube/NoFilterpod

The emotional weight of being far from his support system began to trigger debilitating anxiety, which in turn caused a flare-up of stomach issues, ones he said were worse than anything he'd experienced in years.

He's long battled an uneasy stomach, but said that with age, even minor discomfort now has a deeper impact. When his digestion is off, everything else — mental clarity and emotional balance — starts to unravel.

Jelly Roll talks about the pressure of touring and how his health struggles almost made him go home, as posted on November 10, 2025 | Source: YouTube/NoFilterpod

Speaking candidly during the podcast interview, Jelly Roll admitted that even in that moment, he couldn't stop worrying about what was happening in his body, or what might happen on stage. He said:

Sudden Cancellation in New Zealand

Two days before the podcast aired, Jelly Roll announced he was canceling his November 8 performance at The Outer Fields at Western Springs in Auckland, New Zealand. He posted a message to his Instagram Story that read:

Later that day, Live Nation New Zealand confirmed that the cancellation was due to Jelly Roll's illness and reassured fans that all ticket holders would automatically receive a full refund.

The Auckland concert was part of Jelly Roll's Down Under 2025 tour, which he had announced on Instagram back on August 8. The post featured tour dates across Australia and New Zealand, including stops in Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide, with supporting acts Shaboozey and Drew Baldridge.

Jelly Roll's Weight Loss Journey

Before his overseas health scare, Jelly Roll opened up during an October 2025 episode of the "Dumb Blonde" podcast, hosted by his wife, Bunnie XO. During the episode, the couple discussed his weight loss journey and why he deliberately avoided the drug Ozempic.

Jelly Roll wears a red hoodie and black cap while talking and gesturing during the "Dumb Blonde" podcast, as posted in October 2025 | Source: Instagram/officialdumbblonde

"We're not against Ozempic or any of that stuff," he said. "Every doctor I've talked to is for it. They said it helps. I just was afraid of it." He explained that he feared Ozempic might aggravate his acid reflux, which could cause lasting damage to his vocal cords, a risk he wasn't willing to take.

Jelly Roll talks about his weight loss journey and health concerns on the "Dumb Blonde" podcast, as posted in October 2025 | Source: Instagram/officialdumbblonde

Jelly Roll's decision to lose weight was not motivated by pride. "I want to be very clear that I've done it naturally, but it wasn't out of stubbornness or trying to prove a point," he explained. "If it helps you, go get it. But for me, I was just petrified of the side effects of it."

While his recent tour struggles have laid bare the toll on his body and mind, Jelly Roll's transformation journey is taking unexpected — and surprisingly lighthearted — turns.

As reported on November 15, the country-rap sensation left fans reeling with disbelief after Bunnie XO dropped a bombshell revelation — she hasn't seen him without facial hair in over a decade.

Now, the newly trim singer, who has stunned the world with his nearly 200-pound weight loss, is teasing the next big transformation: his face.

In a video that instantly sent social media into a frenzy, Bunnie XO gushed over her husband's newly defined look. "My husband, in honor of his shoot that he did today, is going to shave off his beard completely, because now that he's also skinny — look at that freaking jawline — we wanna see that jawline, right, ladies?" she exclaimed.

Jelly Roll didn't hold back either, cheekily adding, "We're trying to see if a face lift might be in order."

The artist has been candid about his journey — not just the pounds lost, but the dreams gained. In April 2025, he proudly shared, "I started at 540 pounds and I was 357 pounds this morning... I'm gonna lose another 100 pouns and go skydiving with my wife in Sweden. [sic]"

The raw, unfiltered honesty of his goal — paired with his signature humor — had fans cheering him on louder than ever.

The couple's light-hearted moment sparked a wave of reactions from stunned and smitten fans alike. "I want to see," an eager netizen commented. "He looks so young now that he is skinny lol, [sic]" someone mentioned.

"Results please!! I bet he looks amazing! I love how you hype him up BUNNIE❤️ [sic]" one fan wrote. "unrecognizable in the best way omg! [sic]" praised a second supporter. "Dudeeee he looks amazing, respectfully!!!" a third netizen said.

Despite the mounting pressure, Bunnie reminded fans that this glow-up isn't on anyone's timeline but her husband's. "Hey guys, he will show y'all when he's ready, ❤️" she assured their followers.

Friends, fans, and followers can't get enough of Jelly Roll’s astonishing transformation, and the visual proof only makes the journey that much more jaw-dropping. Take a look back at how far he's come.

BEFORE

Jelly Roll performs in an oversized all-black outfit at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 12, 2021.

Jelly Roll sings during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California, wearing his signature all-black style.

Jelly Roll performs live for SiriusXM at The Stephen Talkhouse on August 17, 2024, in Amagansett, New York.

By December 16, 2024, Jelly Roll had already begun his weight loss journey, but still kept his beard long. He is pictured attending the premiere of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" at TCL Chinese Theatre.

Jelly Roll's look at the 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards on November 10, 2022, sporting his signature beard.

Jelly Roll poses on the red carpet at the 2023 iHeartRadio 106.1 KISS FM Jingle Ball at Dickies Arena on November 28, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, wearing a black shirt, brown pants, a denim vest, and a diamond chain necklace.

Jelly Roll on stage during the New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash rehearsals at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park on December 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, wearing an all-black outfit.

AFTER

Jelly Roll covers his face as his wife films him before he shaves his beard for the first time, in an Instagram video posted on November 14, 2025.

Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie XO, announced he'd be shaving his beard for the first time in over a decade on an Instagram video dated November 14, 2025.

Jelly Roll uses a shaver to shave his beard off for the very first time on an Instagram video dated November 14, 2025.

Jelly Roll shows off his signature beard in an Instagram video posted on November 14, 2025.

Jelly Roll and his wife are all smiles as they interact with fans through an Instagram video dated November 14, 2025.