Let Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO’s Love Story Break Your Heart of Stone

Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO have lived incredibly eventful lives, but their love story is particularly captivating. Bunnie described their decade-long relationship as a challenging but transformative journey, where they pushed each other to grow and break free from old patterns.

Their connection began in 2015 at a Las Vegas country saloon. Bunnie was there with someone else, but she immediately felt drawn to Jelly Roll, saying it felt like they’d known each other forever.

They started as friends before officially dating in July 2016. At the time, neither was a well-known celebrity. Jelly Roll, then Jason DeFord, was performing small shows and living in a van, while Bunnie worked as an escort in Las Vegas. They’ve come a long way since then.

Around this time, Jelly Roll was also trying to gain full custody of his daughter, Bailee, who is now 17, as her mother was struggling with addiction. Just a week before his wedding to Bunnie in August 2016, he also became a father to his son, Noah, with a previous partner.

The country music star explained on the June 2023 podcast Bussin’ With The Boys that he needed to have a serious conversation with someone named Bunnie. He told them he was about to gain full custody of a child they both knew about, and also revealed that another woman was pregnant with his child.

Despite everything, Bunnie remained a steadfast supporter of Jelly Roll. She helped him find a place to live when his criminal history made it difficult, and she even covered his legal fees during his custody battle.

The artist, known for ‘Son of a Sinner,’ recalled a touching moment with Bunnie. He said she looked at him and promised, ‘No matter what happens between us, I’m going to help you with this little girl.’ He was so surprised by her kindness, he remembers thinking, ‘Wow, what a person.’

Jelly Roll and Bunnie gained custody of their child, Bailee, and have continued to build a life together. Their relationship hasn’t always been easy – they briefly broke up in 2018 before getting back together – but they’ve always supported each other’s ambitions.

Jelly Roll acknowledges that strong relationships require effort, saying, “Everything’s not always perfect.”

They are also focused on future goals. Bunnie has expressed a desire to expand their family through IVF, while Jelly Roll is committed to his weight loss journey, having already lost over 200 pounds. He shared on Bunnie’s podcast, *Dumb Blonde*, that he wants to be featured on the cover of *Men’s Health* by March 2026, aiming for a significant transformation.

Despite their achievements – including Jelly Roll’s hit songs like “Need a Favor” and “I Am Not Okay,” and Bunnie’s successful *Dumb Blonde* podcast and upcoming memoir, *Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic* – they remain amazed by how far they’ve come.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, 46-year-old Bunnie shared that she sometimes wonders how she and her husband, Jelly Roll, got to where they are today. She recalled dreaming about their life together eight years ago while in Las Vegas, and now they’re actually living that dream. As their relationship continues to thrive, here’s a closer look at their love story.

Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll’s relationship started in Las Vegas. Bunnie shared on the *Bussin’ With The Boys* podcast that she first met the singer in August 2015 while he was performing at the Las Vegas Country Saloon, before he became famous. He was living in a van at the time, and there were only about 20 people at the show.

Despite their differences – Bunnie said he typically prefers someone like Taylor Swift, and they weren’t each other’s usual type – they felt an immediate connection. As Bunnie described it, it felt like finding someone she was meant to be with.

However, a romance didn’t begin immediately. Both were involved in other situations. They reconnected in October 2015, and Bunnie quickly fell for him. After her then-partner went to prison, she asked a friend to give Jelly Roll her number. He started calling and texting her for advice about his daughter, Bailee.

Their relationship turned romantic in July 2016 when Jelly Roll returned to Vegas to film videos. After a drunken encounter, he surprised Bunnie by asking about her five-year plan. After discussing their goals, they decided to pursue a relationship.

Oh my gosh, you guys, they actually did it! Bunnie said on *Bussin’ With The Boys* that they got married just a month after they started dating, in Vegas of all places, back in August 2016. And get this – they literally followed a five-year plan, *to the letter*, finishing everything they set out to do, with buying a house being the final step! It’s so sweet!

But that’s not all! Bunnie always wanted her own podcast, and Jelly said on *The Howard Stern Show* that when she left the adult entertainment industry, he asked her what she was passionate about, and she immediately said she wanted to do a talk show! And she *did*! She launched *Dumb Blonde* later in 2019. Seriously, she’s amazing.

And the best part? She used the money she earned to *help* Jelly achieve his dreams! She told Sofia Franklyn on *Sofia with an F* that she invested in his *Addiction Kills* album back in 2017, and she even helped him with getting custody of his daughter. They’re just the cutest, most supportive couple ever!

Jelly Roll’s daughter, Bailee, was born in 2008 while he was in prison for drug dealing. He credits Bailee with saving his life, even though she was very young at the time. Bailee remembers her father entering her life around age two, when he was starting his music career and living in a van. While Jelly Roll admits he wasn’t very involved as a father initially, he fought for full custody of Bailee when her mother struggled with addiction.

His then-girlfriend, Bunnie, played a crucial role, financially supporting his legal battle to gain custody. This led both of them to re-examine their own lives and habits. Bunnie realized they couldn’t provide a stable home for Bailee if they continued their own struggles with substance abuse, and she made the decision to get sober.

Bunnie also embraced a motherly role, and in 2024, for Bailee’s sixteenth birthday, she thanked Jelly Roll for allowing her to be the mother she never had, and Bailee for teaching her valuable life lessons over the past eight years.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie welcomed their son, Noah, around a week before their wedding in August 2016, while Jelly Roll was also navigating a custody battle for his daughter, Bailee. He shared his hopes for Noah on Facebook, writing, “God Bless this Child to be everything I am not!” and expressing a wish that Noah and Bailee wouldn’t suffer for his past mistakes.

Over the years, Jelly Roll and Bunnie have generally kept Noah’s life private, but occasionally share small updates. In July 2023, Bunnie posted a TikTok featuring Noah, asking him about his favorite things like soccer and playing at the beach, but emphasized that she had first gotten permission from Noah’s mother.

Bunnie and Jelly Roll have a positive relationship with Noah’s mother, with Bunnie publicly praising her as a wonderful person who provides invaluable support for Noah, especially while Jelly Roll is touring. Bunnie also cherishes her role as Noah’s stepmother, expressing how much joy she gets from watching him grow up and feeling privileged to be a part of his life since birth.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie separated two years after their wedding, but they eventually found their way back to each other later that same year. In a February 2023 TikTok post, Bunnie reflected on their journey, writing that their 2018 breakup and eventual reunion led them to where they are today. She explained that they had finally fulfilled promises made early in their relationship, and that their initial struggles were necessary for building a stronger foundation. She ended with a heartfelt expression of her love for Jelly Roll.

As Jelly Roll’s popularity grew, he and Bunnie made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2022 CMA Awards. In the documentary *Jelly Roll: Save Me*, Bunnie described them as “the Addams Family of the country era,” explaining they felt like outsiders but were determined to be part of the scene.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie celebrated seven years of marriage in 2023 by renewing their vows. Looking back on their original wedding day, Bunnie remembered Jelly Roll promising her things would get better and that they would overcome the challenges they faced together. He kept that promise.

Bunnie reflected on the past seven years as a difficult but rewarding journey. They worked hard to heal from past traumas and build a healthy relationship, creating a stable home for Bailee. Through everything, they faced challenges together with smiles.

Bunnie lovingly described Jelly Roll as her perfect match, her safe haven, and the best man she knows, expressing how unique and special he is.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie continue to have a loving relationship, and she’s even been the inspiration behind some of his music, including the songs “Woman” and “Kill a Man.” He told *Entertainment Tonight* that she’s “the best” and explained he struggled to write a sincere love song without sounding cheesy. He wanted to express how deeply he feels for her while still staying true to himself. He says he doesn’t have eyes for anyone else and wanted a song to reflect that vulnerability. The couple also appeared together in the music videos for “Wheels Fall Off” and “Lonely Road,” which featured Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox.

Bunnie is Jelly Roll’s biggest supporter, always cheering him on whether she’s in the audience or watching from home. She publicly celebrated his 2024 CMT Music Awards nomination, acknowledging his 20-year journey to success. She remembers times when they wondered if anyone was listening, contrasted with the excitement of performing in packed venues.

Bunnie praises Jelly Roll’s songwriting, describing his music as healing and deeply relatable, offering comfort to those who feel broken and unseen. She emphasizes their strong relationship and unwavering support for each other, which resonates with their fans.

Bunnie affectionately calls Jelly Roll ‘Papabear’ and says his voice has the power to heal, with the world as his audience. She expresses her enduring love for him, promising to support him in this life and beyond.

Jelly Roll equally supports Bunnie, admiring the community she’s built through social media and her podcast, and feeling immense joy seeing her inspire others, especially women.

Bunnie Xo is fiercely protective of her husband, Jelly Roll, and won’t tolerate anyone attacking him. She recently spoke out about the hurtful comments he received online regarding his weight before losing over 200 pounds, explaining that he had to step away from the internet due to the bullying. While Jelly Roll tries not to show how much the negativity affects him, Bunnie says it deeply hurts her. She strongly disagrees with the idea that celebrities should simply ‘handle’ online harassment, emphasizing that it’s never okay to bully someone, as you don’t know what they’re going through mentally. Bunnie vowed to always defend those who are targeted and will fight back against anyone who tries to bully her or her family.

Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie, have been sharing their journey to expand their family. After Jelly Roll mentioned they were considering having a baby, Bunnie revealed on Instagram in June 2024 that they’ve been undergoing IVF treatments. She explained they decided to share their experience publicly because of their openness with fans, and because the process has already been challenging. Despite the difficulties, they remain hopeful. Bunnie shared that they’ve been consulting with doctors and exploring all options, and while they hadn’t originally planned to have more children, they now both feel a strong desire to add to their family, alongside their children Bailee and Noah.

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2025-09-21 15:18