Jelly Roll Left Shocked After Being 'Looked At Like A Criminal' In Sydney
By Chukwudi Onyewuchi on November 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM EST

American rapper Jelly Roll’s luxury shopping spree in Australia took an unexpected turn when he claimed he was treated like a criminal at a high-end fashion store in Sydney.
The “Wild Ones” hitmaker, currently touring Down Under, shared his disbelief on social media after what he described as an uncomfortable and humiliating encounter inside Louis Vuitton.
A Shopping Trip That Took A Wrong Turn

What was supposed to be a relaxed afternoon of retail therapy became a moment of frustration for Jelly Roll.
The 40-year-old artist, whose real name is Jason DeFord, said he felt unfairly judged while visiting the designer store in Sydney’s central business district.
Wearing his trademark casual style, black sweats, and a backwards baseball cap, the rapper drew stares for all the wrong reasons.
Taking to Instagram Stories to vent, the Nashville native shared his unpleasant experience.
“Hey man, the Louis Vuitton in Sydney, legitimately just treated us like we were finna come in and rob that place,” he said. “I have never been looked at more like a crim... Listen, the last time I was looked at like a criminal this bad... I was an actual criminal this bad.”
For Jelly Roll, who has been open about his past and personal transformation, the moment stung deeply.
Jelly Roll Maintains Calm After Sydney Store Encounter

Jelly Roll didn’t provide specific details about what took place inside the luxury boutique, but his tone made it clear that the experience left him upset.
The rapper, who has previously served time in jail in the United States, has long since turned his life around, earning praise for his music and for using his platform to inspire others facing hardship.
After the incident, he was photographed outside the Louis Vuitton store.
According to the Daily Mail, he was spotted taking a spin on an e-bike through Sydney’s bustling streets, chatting with fans.
Despite the negative experience, he seemed eager to reconnect with supporters who had followed his journey from Tennessee to international stardom.
Jelly Roll’s Australian Tour

The Sydney incident comes during what has otherwise been an exciting chapter for Jelly Roll, who arrived in Australia last month for his first headline tour across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
His performances have drawn large crowds, cementing his growing global appeal as one of country-rap’s most authentic voices.
When he touched down at Sydney Airport, fans were quick to notice his dramatic physical transformation.
The star reportedly lost an astonishing 198 pounds and has been open about his fitness journey.
Dressed in a baggy Reebok sweatshirt and track pants, the slimmed-down artist tried to keep a low profile under a Tennessee Titans hat, flanked by his security team.
Jelly Roll's Physical Transformation

Jelly Roll’s evolution has been both personal and public. On his wife Bunnie XO’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast last year, he shared how he wanted to document his health journey openly.
“I wanna be on the cover of Men’s Health by March of 2026. That’s my new goal,” he said proudly. “I wanna have one of the biggest transformations.”
He added, “I did this publicly for a reason. I wanna be honest about my struggles with it with people.”
His transparency has earned him admiration from fans who see him as a symbol of resilience and self-improvement.
Jelly Roll On Body Image And Success

Jelly Roll has often spoken about the challenges of fame, weight loss, and identity.
“I think that people that become as big as I became, when they lose the weight, they’re kind of ashamed,” he admitted. “They’re so ashamed that they go hide and lose the weight, and then they come back out [and] they don’t really know how to interact with the world looking different or feeling different, and they kinda gotta find their whole new way.”
For the rapper, his transformation was never just physical but about rewriting his narrative.
“I wanted to lose it in front of everybody. I wanted to talk about it,” he said. “I didn’t become successful because of my weight. I became successful in spite of it.”
He reflected on how far he has come, saying, “I somehow managed to be this successful with carrying 550 pounds. That’s insane.”
The musician's openness about body image, mental health, and redemption has made him one of the most relatable figures in music today.