How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

As I delve into the captivating narrative of Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO, I find myself utterly enchanted by their remarkable journey. Their love story is a testament to resilience, unity, and unwavering support for one another. The way they uplift each other through the highs and lows of life is truly heartwarming.


Jelly Roll isn’t shying away from difficult conversations.

The singer known as “I Am Not Okay,” whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, has had some open discussions with his now 16-year-old daughter, Bailee, since she surpassed his age at the time of his first arrest (14 years old).

In a heartfelt conversation, I shared with People magazine on the 27th of November, “I don’t base my opinion of you on your actions. Instead, I evaluate you based on what I believe you’re truly capable of.” Let me tell you, at sixteen, you were light years ahead of where I was. You possess a depth of intelligence, both emotionally and intellectually, that leaves me in awe.

The individual, aged 39 and father to 8-year-old Noah, whom he shares with his former partner Melisa Ann Cowell, went on to say, “‘You have a keen ability to sense the mood of a situation. So instead of trying to evade trouble by using my past as a weapon, Miss Sassy, be mindful of that.’

Bailee, who shares a Grammy nomination with her ex-partner Felicia Beckwith, was born while her father was in prison. Since 2017, Jelly Roll (also known as Bunnie Xo) and his wife have had custody of her due to her mother’s struggles with addiction. The “Lonely Road” artist stated that she is well beyond where he was at her current age.

He confided, “When I see actions of hers that I view as inappropriate, I recall my own behavior at age 16 and think, ‘Boy, have I grown!'” He also mentioned, “When I criticize her or get a bit forceful, it’s because I care deeply for her.

The singer spoke enthusiastically about how remarkably down-to-earth Bailee has managed to stay, given the challenges faced by her parents.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

Reflecting on our once incredibly close bond, I found myself reminiscing about the days before the unexpected explosion. She’s making choices that are taking her and our shared future in new directions, focusing on what’s best for herself and our family. Despite my admiration, she remains resolute and grounded, like a strong oak amidst life’s storms – truly an iron-willed young woman.

He mentioned, “For the past decade, she’s been attending schools within the same district, and she’s kept the same circle of friends ever since we took over her care, along with Bunnie. I believe this consistency has played a significant role in her development.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

Although Bailee is observing her father’s mistakes to learn, it doesn’t necessarily imply that she will follow him in terms of career path. In fact, the youngster has expressed no desire for a professional career in music.

In fact, she has her sights set on a whole other career path: law.

In the latest episode of her podcast, “Dumb Blonde”, Bailee expressed that she aspires to pursue law studies at Columbia University. To put it simply, she shared that this is her desired destination for furthering her legal education.

Keep reading for more on Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s relationship.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

The love story between Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll originated in Las Vegas. As she shared on the podcast ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’, she encountered the singer in August 2015 when he played at the Las Vegas Country Club. At that time, Jelly Roll was not yet famous; he was living in a van, and there were approximately 20 people present for the show.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

And they did.

“We got married a month later,” Bunnie added on Bussin’ With The Boys, sharing she wed Jelly Roll at Las Vegas’ Stained Glass Wedding Chapel in August 2016, “and f–kin we did the five-year plan. Literally finished it all the way through to the fifth year. The last thing was buying our own house.”

Another one of Bunnie’s goals was to launch her own podcast. 

“When she came out of the sex working industry, I’m sitting down with her and I’m like, ‘Well, what are you passionate about?’ Jelly Roll said on The Howard Stern Show in June 2024. “She’s like, ‘I’d love to do some kind of a talk show.'”

Bunnie left the sex work industry in 2019 and debuted the Dumb Blonde podcast later that year. And she used the money she had made to help fuel Jelly Roll’s dreams.

“I invested in his [2017] Addiction Kills album,” Bunnie said on Sofia Franklyn‘s podcast Sofia with an F. “I helped him with that. He needed custody of his daughter, I helped him with that.”

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

In 2008, Jelly Roll’s daughter Bailee was born while he was serving time in prison due to drug dealing charges. However, it was Bailee who ended up saving her father’s life. This is as stated by Jelly Roll in his 2023 documentary titled “Jelly Roll: Save Me”. At the time, she was too young to understand the situation.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

In August 2016, just before Jelly Roll got married to Bunnie and while he was pursuing custody of Bailee, they welcomed their son Noah. The “Need a Favor” artist expressed his feelings on Facebook after the birth, saying “God Bless this Child to be everything I am not!” He also prayed that neither Noah nor Bailee would ever suffer because of their father’s mistakes.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

Two years following our wedding in 2016, my partner and I parted ways, but fate seemed to have other plans for us. In 2018, I found myself moving back to Las Vegas, and it was as if you were drawn to me like a magnet. This unexpected twist set us on an extraordinary adventure together.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

Jelly Roll and Bunnie made their first appearance on a red carpet together at the 2022 CMA Awards, as his fame continued to grow. Speaking in the documentary “Jelly Roll: Save Me,” she remarked, “We’re like the black sheep of the country music era. We don’t seem to fit in, but here we are.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

In 2023, seven years after their initial wedding ceremony, Jelly Roll and Bunnie renewed their marriage vows. Looking back at their first wedding day, the podcaster reminisced in a touching tribute about how the Grammy-nominated artist had reassured her: “Bunnie, our lives won’t always be like this. You won’t have to do what you do for much longer, we’re going to figure this out. I promise you.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

I’ve got to give it up for her, she’s my muse, that one. Bunnie has left an indelible mark on some of my songs, like “Woman” and “Kill a Man,” just to name a few. As I shared with Entertainment Tonight, writing a love song without sounding cheesy was a challenge. I’d penned a thousand love songs before, and they all felt a bit corny. So, I wondered, ‘How do I write a love song that maintains my masculinity while also revealing the depth of my affection?’

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

Regardless if she’s in the crowd or at home, Bunnie is consistently rooting for Jelly Roll. In a tribute honoring his 2024 CMT Music Awards, she referred to him as her “visionary husband” and the “maestro of misfits”. She emphasized that his success wasn’t an overnight phenomenon, but rather a 20-year journey filled with days when it seemed no one was listening to his music, followed by nights that transformed into packed arenas.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

It’s essential to understand that Bunnie XO won’t tolerate anyone targeting her partner. She defended Jelly Roll against hurtful online comments regarding his weight in an episode of “Dumb Blonde” on April 2024.

How Jelly Roll Is Parenting 16-Year-Old Daughter After His Teen Arrest

Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie have been transparent about their attempts to expand their family. After the “Son of a Sinner” star publicly disclosed their intentions for having a baby, Bunnie detailed their efforts in an Instagram post from June 2024.

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2024-11-27 21:48