Jelly Roll Clarifies His Cryptic Message Amid Bunnie Xo Split

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Jelly Rolldoesn’t want his words twisted.

Following news of his divorce from Bunnie Xo, the singer known for “I Am Not Okay” explained the meaning behind a recent TikTok video he posted almost a month after they announced their separation on May 9th.

On June 5th, Jelly Roll posted a TikTok featuring photos of himself with his 18-year-old daughter, Bailee Ann DeFord, set to his new song “Mama,” which he recorded with Latto.

The song expressed overwhelming joy, singing about feeling like everything was perfect. The singer described their reaction to finding out they were having a daughter, saying it was an incredible moment.

After learning that the 41-year-old had filed for divorce from his wife, Bunnie, after a decade of marriage, many fans speculated the video was created as a reaction to the breakup.

One commenter described the post as a very daring move, while another credited someone named bunnie for its creation.

And one fan wrote, “Bunnie got you there. You owe her everything.”

Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason DeFord) clarified that the video wasn’t intended to address their breakup.

I saw this claim circulating and wanted to clarify what I understand from the original poster. They explained on June 16th that the post wasn’t actually new – it was something older just getting attention now, and definitely not meant as a reaction to any current events or discussions.

He explained that his previous message simply expressed his love for his daughter and how proud he was to be featured on Latto’s track, ending with a friendly greeting to everyone.

Jelly Roll, who has a nine-year-old son named Noah, wants to keep things peaceful following his separation. Bailee Ann has also requested privacy during this time.

On June 16th, the teenager expressed frustration on TikTok that people were too involved in what she described as a personal family issue, saying it was “crazy.”

“Go on somewhere yall,” she added. “Worry bout your house—not mine.”

Bailee Ann suggested she may eventually talk about the divorce, stating, “I’m not discussing it right now.”

Before news of her breakup became public on June 15th, Alisa DeFord, known as Bunnie, posted a series of puzzling messages online. On that same day, she shared a TikTok video of herself lip-syncing to Nickelback’s song “How You Remind Me.”

The host of the Dumb Blonde podcast also posted a photo to her Instagram Stories that day, with the caption, “She’s getting her sparkle back.”

For a look back at Jelly Roll and Bunnie’s relationship, keep reading. 

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

Despite their initial differences – Bunnie said they weren’t each other’s usual type (he loved Taylor Swift!) – they felt an instant connection. “My soul just knew,” she explained.

However, a romance didn’t begin immediately. Both were dealing with their own situations; Bunnie was in an unhealthy relationship and Jelly Roll was focused on his life. They reconnected in October 2015, and Bunnie quickly fell for him.

After her ex-partner went to prison, she gave Jelly Roll her number through a friend. He started reaching out to her for advice about raising his daughter, Bailee.

The relationship turned romantic in July 2016 when Jelly Roll returned to Vegas to film videos. After a very tipsy encounter, they had a surprisingly serious conversation about their future plans. Bunnie remembered him asking about her five-year goals, and after she shared them, he agreed to pursue a relationship.

Bunnie and Jelly Roll followed through on their initial plans, getting married in Las Vegas in August 2016, just a month after they first discussed it. She shared on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast that they completed a five-year plan they’d made, with buying a house as the final step.

Bunnie also wanted to start her own podcast. Jelly Roll explained on The Howard Stern Show that when Bunnie left the sex work industry in 2019, he asked her what she was passionate about, and she expressed a desire to host a talk show. She launched the Dumb Blonde podcast later that year.

Bunnie financially supported Jelly Roll’s ambitions, investing in his 2017 album Addiction Kills and helping him with a custody battle for his daughter, as she revealed on Sofia with an F.

Jelly Roll’s daughter, Bailee, was born in 2008 while he was serving time in prison for drug dealing. He has said that she ultimately changed his life.

Bailee remembers her father entering her life around age two, when he was starting out as a musician and living in his van. While Jelly Roll admits he wasn’t very involved as a parent at first, things shifted when he fought for full custody of Bailee because of her mother’s struggles with addiction.

Even though Jelly Roll and his now-wife, Bunnie, were just beginning their relationship, she financially supported his legal battle to gain custody. This situation prompted both of them to re-examine their own lifestyles.

Bunnie realized they couldn’t provide a stable home for Bailee if they continued with their substance use, leading her to stop taking pills altogether. She also embraced the role of mother figure.

In 2024, on Bailee’s sixteenth birthday, Bunnie expressed gratitude to Jelly Roll for allowing her to be the mom she always wanted to be, and thanked Bailee for teaching her valuable life lessons over the past eight years.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I’ve been following Jelly Roll’s journey for years, and it’s just so amazing! I remember when he became a dad to Noah in August 2016, just before he and Bunnie got married and while he was fighting for custody of his daughter, Bailee. He posted the sweetest message on Facebook, saying he hoped Noah would be everything he wasn’t, and that neither of his kids would have to suffer for his past mistakes – it seriously gave me chills! They’ve always been really private about Noah, which I totally respect, but Bunnie will share little glimpses now and then. Like in July 2023, she posted this adorable TikTok of her asking Noah about soccer and the beach, but she made sure to say she got his mom’s permission first – so sweet! They’re actually really good friends with Noah’s mom, which is incredible. Bunnie has said she’s amazing and they couldn’t do it without her, especially with Jelly Roll touring so much. And honestly, watching Bunnie as a stepmom to Noah just melts my heart! She posted in October 2024 about how lucky she feels to watch him grow up, and that being in his life since day one is such a privilege. It’s just…beautiful to see how much they all love each other.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie separated in 2018, two years after getting married. Jelly Roll later admitted to infidelity as the cause of the split, calling it a low point in his life. Despite the hardship, they worked to repair their relationship and rekindled their romance later that same year. He expressed pride in the strength they’ve built together, acknowledging the pain of the affair but celebrating their current commitment. Bunnie echoed this sentiment in a 2023 TikTok post, describing their breakup and eventual reunion as a necessary step to building a stronger, more solid foundation for their life together. They remain deeply committed to each other.

As Jelly Roll became more famous, he and his wife, 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 country music—we don’t really fit in, but here we are.”

Jelly Roll and Bunnie celebrated seven years of marriage in 2023 by renewing their vows. Reflecting on their original wedding, Bunnie remembered Jelly Roll promising her that things would get better and they’d face life’s challenges together – a promise he kept.

Bunnie described the last seven years as a challenging but rewarding journey. They worked hard to overcome past traumas and build a loving, stable home for Bailee, their daughter. Through everything, they faced difficulties hand-in-hand with positivity.

Bunnie lovingly called Jelly Roll her perfect match, safe haven, and best friend, praising him as an exceptional man – Jason DeFord – unlike any other.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie continue to have a loving relationship. Bunnie has even been the inspiration behind some of Jelly Roll’s songs, like “Woman” and “Kill a Man.”

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight about “Kill a Man,” Jelly Roll said Bunnie is “the best,” and explained he’d tried writing countless love songs but always felt they sounded cheesy. He wanted to create a song that honestly expressed his deep love for her while still feeling authentic to who he is.

He added that he only has eyes for her and wanted the song to reflect that vulnerability.

The couple have also appeared together in the music videos for “Wheels Fall Off” and “Lonely Road,” which features Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox.

Bunnie is Jelly Roll’s biggest fan, always supporting him whether she’s in the audience or watching from home. She publicly celebrated his 2024 CMT Music Awards nomination, acknowledging his long-held dream. She wrote about the years of hard work, recalling times when they doubted anyone was listening, contrasted with the excitement of performing in packed venues.

Bunnie praised Jelly Roll’s songwriting, describing his music as healing and deeply relatable, offering comfort to those who feel broken. She emphasized the powerful connection he creates with his listeners, making them feel understood and seen.

Their strong relationship is inspiring to fans. Bunnie affectionately calls Jelly Roll ‘Papabear’ and expressed her unwavering love and commitment, saying she’ll love him in this life and every other. Jelly Roll equally supports Bunnie, admiring her success with social media and her podcast, and expressing immense joy at 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 against hurtful online comments he received about his weight before losing over 200 pounds, explaining that the bullying led him to step away from social media.

On her podcast Dumb Blonde, Bunnie shared how deeply these comments affect him despite his attempts to hide it, calling him a “sweet angel baby.” She strongly refuted the idea that celebrities should simply ignore online negativity, stating that it’s not okay and people need to consider the mental health of those they target.

Bunnie vowed to defend anyone being bullied, promising she won’t let attacks on her or her family go unchallenged. Jelly Roll himself has been open about his health struggles, including low testosterone, telling Joe Rogan that he felt like “I could feel myself dying.”

Okay, so you guys, I’m completely obsessed with Jelly Roll and Bunnie, and I’ve been following their journey to grow their family. It’s so touching! Jelly revealed they were talking about having a baby, and then Bunnie shared everything on Instagram. She said they originally wanted to keep it private, but they decided to be open about their IVF journey because they always are with us fans. She admitted it’s been really hard, even just starting, especially with the odds against them. But they’re still so hopeful! They’ve been meeting with doctors and looking at all their options. They never really thought they wanted another baby, but something shifted this year, and now they just want a little piece of both of them to add to their already amazing family with Bailee and Noah. She even talked about surrogacy on her podcast, Dumb Blonde, explaining she physically can’t carry a child and there’s too much risk. It’s been a struggle, but she says they’re putting it in God’s hands – if it’s meant to be, it will be. And if not, they’re open to adoption. Honestly, I’m just so invested in their happiness and I’m sending them all the good vibes!

According to Tennessee court documents, Jelly Roll filed for divorce in May 2026. Shortly before the news became public, his wife, Bunnie, shared a message on Instagram, posting a picture of herself in lingerie with the caption, “She’s getting her sparkle back.”

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2026-06-18 02:20