Bunnie Xo Details “Dark” Depression After Using Weight-Loss Drug

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Content warning: This story discusses suicidal ideation.

Bunnie Xois reflecting on a hard-fought hallelujah moment. 

The model, who is married to country rapper Jelly Roll, recently shared how a weight-loss drug impacted her mental well-being.

During the January 9th episode of her podcast, Dumb Blonde, Bunnie shared that she experienced a severe depressive episode, the worst she’d had since 2020. She was deeply frightened and feared she wouldn’t be able to cope for even two weeks. She described praying for help, feeling completely numb, and appearing visibly distressed – even her eyes looked dark. She was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t even enjoy music she usually loves.

Instead, the 45-year-old, whose name is Alyssa DeFord, had to drive without music because the sound either overwhelmed her or made her feel numb and unhappy.

She explained that she felt hopeless and had lost her will to live. It was a very difficult time, but now, 20 days after stopping medication, she’s finally starting to feel happy again. She described it as a real struggle.

The author of Stripped Down acknowledged a difficult time in her life, but emphasized that her experience with the weight-loss drug isn’t a defining or final outcome.

She emphasized that her experience with the medication wouldn’t necessarily be the same for everyone else. While many people have had positive results with Reta, she explained that something unique happened in her case.

Actually, she hadn’t always felt negatively about the medication. She remembered feeling “good” after her last dose in December, even saying on her podcast that it was a significant improvement over the first week. She had lowered her initial dose and felt much better as a result.

As someone who follows these inspiring stories, I’ve been so impressed by Jelly Roll’s dedication. It’s amazing to see how his incredible weight loss journey – over 200 pounds in the last three years! – has not only changed his physical health, but truly lifted his spirits. And honestly, seeing transformations like his reminds me to always prioritize my own well-being, both inside and out.

In a recent interview, a woman shared that her husband shaved his face after two decades. She described the heartwarming moment he looked in the mirror, saying it was wonderful to see him rediscover and appreciate himself, which greatly boosted his mood.

Keep reading to see more stars opening up about their mental health…

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This diagnosis followed a mental health crisis he experienced in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He said he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and taking medication if necessary.

Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Ka’oir Davis, along with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.

He explained that his wife was expecting their son, and he worried about the impact raising a family would have on his mental health. He feared a severe mental health episode he might not recover from, so he proactively began working on himself and seeking professional help.

The former Gossip Girl star shared his experience struggling with “body dysmorphia” as a young actor.

As a lifestyle expert, I often talk about self-acceptance, and it really resonated with me when I read an interview with Penn. She shared that she genuinely disliked her body and, honestly, just wished she could have a different one. It’s a surprisingly common feeling, and it highlights how deeply our body image can impact our overall well-being.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, he gained weight and then entered a phase where he actively sought to improve his appearance. He felt that being seen as more attractive would lead to greater success and make him feel more valued, especially as he was emerging from a period of depression and loneliness.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He explained that it helped him overcome his disappointment and personal struggles, and eventually return to things with a renewed sense of self.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, stating on the The Funny Thing Is podcast, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” She admitted food was her main coping mechanism, saying she engaged in extreme behaviors related to it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar, stopping alcohol, and taking up yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described these changes as being more effective than the drug Ritalin.

She shared that she struggles with eating and how she feels about her body, which is something she’s actively working to overcome. She’s also focused on improving her overall health by prioritizing nutritious foods.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She admitted on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s really hard to talk about these things, even with those closest to you. She explained that she personally feels she should be able to handle it on her own, and admitting she needs to talk about it feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist frequently talks about safeguarding her well-being, like blocking negativity online, and often offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being kind to yourself and avoiding rash decisions. She explained that giving things time often allows difficult feelings to lessen and pass.

As people adjusted to social distancing to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the singer of “Firework” opened up about the significant stress these kinds of situations can cause.

She tweeted about struggling with the challenges of the pandemic, saying it’s hard to decide what’s more difficult – avoiding the virus itself or dealing with the resulting sadness. Katy explained that she often finds peace in her car, describing it as her only real escape and safe place.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.

After her panic attacks began happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.

Honestly, my life is just up and down, good days and then days where my anxiety is really bad. That’s actually why getting involved with this movement meant so much to me. I just want people to know they’re not the only ones feeling this way, you know? I really hope I can help people feel less alone – that’s the biggest thing for me.

The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his experiences with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental well-being.

Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to learn this, but it’s important to talk about what you’re going through. Men especially tend to keep their feelings bottled up, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his experiences made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re not alone.”

The actress from Empire has publicly discussed her battles with depression and emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help. She’s stated that talking to a therapist is essential for her to cope.

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began a treatment using MDMA and psilocybin therapy to cope with the effects of past trauma, stemming from both an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

You know, I recently told Rolling Stone that I experienced something amazing on tour – I actually wasn’t nervous for the first time ever! It was this incredible feeling, almost like a physical pull, and I noticed everyone in the audience felt it too – a sort of shared energy, like the air pressure had shifted. It really hit me then just how much I thrive on that deep, emotional connection with people when I’m performing. I need that raw, visceral response to truly feel my music come alive.

She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and stopping birth control led her to a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control because it felt like a break from societal expectations of what it meant to be a woman. It might sound strange, she admitted, but she felt liberated and like new possibilities emerged when she stopped adhering to those norms.

In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, stating that it’s the first step and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind “What He Didn’t Do” has opened up about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the Covid pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I learned to suppress my feelings and cope on my own. But a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and start understanding what was going on. It wasn’t something that started recently; I’ve actually been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child, around six or seven years old.

The actress known for Frozen has openly discussed her mental health strategies for years, sharing them at public speaking events and on platforms like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for their well-being. According to Health magazine, her own approach includes things like medication, balancing negative thoughts with ten positives, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experiences with postpartum depression, a condition many new mothers face but often feel unable to talk about.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became increasingly comfortable for her to talk about her experience. Her hope was to let others know that this could happen to anyone, and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and isolated.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teen, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during those years.

Cara shared with the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy within herself, and after a long journey, she’s finally able to be happy on her own.

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after a fan jokingly asked about her therapist on Twitter. She replied, saying therapy has been life-saving for her on numerous occasions.

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to live with constant pain, and it is possible to heal from trauma. She acknowledged she had a long way to go, but said simply recognizing that healing is possible is a good first step.

The singer has often discussed her struggles with addiction, her recovery, and her mental health, and she frequently incorporates these experiences into her songs.

I really appreciate how she always emphasizes that taking care of your mental health isn’t a quick fix – it’s something you work on constantly, and it’s okay to have tough days. She once shared on Instagram, and it really resonated with me, that life has its highs and lows, but giving up isn’t an option.

The actress has openly discussed mental health, both through her work – like her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria – and in her personal life.

Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety following a memorable appearance on Ellen where her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that it’s important to take a break when things become overwhelming.

In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of intense happiness followed by weeks-long bouts of deep sadness.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

In 2018, while accepting the Global Changemakers Award at a fundraiser, she shared that she had long dealt with challenges related to her mental health, both privately and publicly. She explained her belief that keeping these struggles hidden actually makes things worse, stating, ‘Secrets keep you sick.’

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2026-01-28 20:21