Jelly Roll’s Daughter Bailee Ann Hilariously Reacts to His New Face

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Jelly Roll’s daughter Bailee Ann may need a favor after seeing her dad without a beard.

The 17-year-old was shocked when her dad shaved his beard, as it was the first time she’d ever seen his bare face.

Bailey Ann said, laughing, “Stay over there!” in a YouTube video posted on November 20th by the singer known as “Halfway to Hell.” She playfully tried to hide in a corner, exclaiming, “Oh my god, I’m gonna cry! I don’t like it!”

The teenager playfully agreed with Jelly Roll’s father, who had said he resembled a reptile, responding with, “You look like a turtle!”

While many fans reacted strongly, Bunnie Xo, the Grammy-nominated artist’s wife, had a more understanding response. In their ten years together, she had never seen him without a beard, but she was still supportive.

She exclaimed with excitement while standing beside Jelly Roll in the bathroom. After laughing a lot, she sincerely said, “I love it.”

Jelly Roll (born Jason Bradley DeFord) shared that his decision to change his appearance was largely motivated by his commitment to losing weight, even though his family had varying opinions about it.

He shared that losing weight has been a revealing process. ‘It’s made me realize I’ve lost track of what I actually look like,’ he said. ‘I used to have a beard to hide my double chin—and it’s still there!’

However, Jelly Roll’s wife, Bunnie—who married him in 2016—actually complimented his good looks, specifically mentioning his strong jawline.

He explained that losing weight made him realize a lot about himself, including a surprising thing: he wasn’t sure what he actually looked like anymore. He’d been using a beard to hide his double chin, which, he admitted, was still there.

 

However, Jelly Roll’s wife, Bunnie – who married him in 2016 – actually complimented his good looks, pointing out his strong jawline.

The host of the Dumb Blonde podcast commented on Instagram on November 13th about an upcoming shave, saying, “Now that he’s gotten so thin, look at that jawline!” She then asked her audience, “Don’t we all want to see that jawline, ladies?”

Bunnie (whose real name is Alyssa DeFord) also shared her thoughts on Jelly Roll’s changing hairstyles, playfully calling his mustache “fire.”

She told him he looked great, complimenting his goatee and mustache. She added that even without facial hair, he still looked good.

Read on to see other glimpses at Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s romance. 

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 in the audience.

Despite their initial differences – Bunnie said he wasn’t her usual type and he loved Taylor Swift – they felt an immediate connection. She described it as an instant soul recognition.

However, a romance didn’t begin right away. Both were dealing with other things – Bunnie was in an unhealthy relationship, and Jelly Roll was focused on his own life. They reconnected in October 2015, and Bunnie quickly fell for him.

After Bunnie’s ex-partner went to prison, she asked a friend to give Jelly Roll her number. He began calling and texting her for advice about his daughter, Bailee.

Their connection turned romantic in July 2016 when Jelly Roll returned to Vegas to film videos and they spent the night together. Bunnie recalled a humorous moment where, despite being very drunk, Jelly Roll asked about her five-year plan. After discussing their goals, he agreed to pursue a relationship.

Bunnie and Jelly Roll followed through on their 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 in June 2024 that when she left the sex work industry in 2019, he asked her what she was passionate about, and she said she’d love to host a talk show. She launched the Dumb Blonde podcast later that year.

Bunnie used money she’d earned to support Jelly Roll’s career, investing in his 2017 album Addiction Kills and helping him with legal matters related to gaining custody of his daughter, as she shared on Sofia Franklyn’s Sofia with an F podcast.

Oh my gosh, Jelly Roll’s story just breaks my heart and fills it all at once! His daughter, Bailee, was born in 2008, and it’s incredible because he was actually in prison then, dealing with some really tough stuff. He always says Bailee literally saved his life, and it’s so moving because she was just a little baby, too young to even understand what was happening! She came into his life around when he was two years old, hustling with his music and living out of his van. He admits he wasn’t the best dad at first, but everything changed when he fought for full custody because of her mom’s struggles. It’s amazing because even though he and Bunnie were just starting out, she was the one who paid for the lawyer and supported the whole thing! They both realized they needed to get their lives together. Bunnie even said they had to ask themselves if they were any better than Bailee’s mom if they were still using pills. That was the turning point – she never touched another pill again! And she stepped up as a mom to Bailee, too. It’s just…beautiful. She wrote this incredible message for Bailee’s 16th birthday in 2024, thanking Jelly for letting her be the mom she never had, and thanking Bailee for teaching her how to heal. Seriously, I cry every time I think about it. It’s the most amazing story of redemption and family I’ve ever heard!

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 desire for his children to avoid repeating his mistakes.

Over the years, Jelly Roll and Bunnie have largely kept Noah’s life private, sharing only occasional glimpses. In July 2023, Bunnie posted a TikTok video of a Q&A with Noah, where he revealed his love for soccer and playing in the water. She emphasized that she had gotten permission from Noah’s mother before posting.

Bunnie and Jelly Roll maintain a positive relationship with Noah’s mother, with Bunnie describing her as a wonderful person who is essential to their lives, especially while they’re touring. She appreciates her help in caring for Noah.

Bunnie also cherishes her role as Noah’s stepmother. She expressed on Instagram in October 2024, after Noah attended one of Jelly Roll’s concerts, that watching him grow up is a true joy and a privilege, and she’s grateful to Noah’s mother for her support.

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. However, the couple worked through their issues and rekindled their relationship later that same year. He said the process of repairing their relationship made them stronger than ever. While he wishes the affair hadn’t happened, he’s proud of the couple they’ve become. Bunnie reflected on the difficult time, sharing on TikTok that their breakup and subsequent reconnection led them on an incredible journey, ultimately solidifying their commitment to each other. She described their initial struggles as necessary for building a stronger, more stable relationship.

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 country music—we don’t really fit in, but here we are.”

Jelly Roll and Bunnie recently renewed their wedding vows, seven years after first getting married. Bunnie remembers their original ceremony fondly, recalling how Jelly Roll promised her things would get better and that they would face challenges together. He kept that promise.

Looking back, Bunnie described the last seven years as a challenging but rewarding journey. They worked hard to overcome past traumas and build a healthy, loving relationship, and create a stable home for Bailee. Through everything, they faced difficulties together, always supporting each other.

Bunnie shared her deep love and admiration for Jelly Roll, calling him her soulmate, safe haven, and best friend. She believes he’s one of a kind and expressed how grateful she is to have him in her life.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie continue to share a loving and harmonious relationship. Bunnie has even served as inspiration for some of Jelly Roll’s music, including songs like “Woman” and “Kill a Man.”

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight about “Kill a Man,” Jelly Roll said, “She’s the best.” He explained he’d tried writing countless love songs but found them cheesy. He wanted to create a song that honestly expressed his deep love for Bunnie while still feeling authentic to himself. “I don’t see any other woman on Earth but her, and I wanted to write a song that reflected that and was vulnerable,” he added.

Beyond their personal life, Jelly Roll and Bunnie have also collaborated professionally, appearing 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 fan, always supporting him whether she’s at his shows or watching from home. She shared a heartfelt message celebrating his 2024 CMT Music Awards recognition, acknowledging his twenty-year journey to success. She described the struggles they faced – times when it felt like no one was listening – and how those efforts eventually led to sold-out arenas.

Bunnie praised Jelly Roll’s songwriting, explaining how he turns personal experiences into comforting music that deeply resonates with listeners, offering them a sense of understanding and validation. Their strong relationship and mutual support are inspiring to fans.

She affectionately called him ‘Papabear’ and described his voice as a healing force, with the world as his audience. Bunnie expressed her enduring love for him, promising to support him in this life and beyond. Jelly Roll also publicly celebrates Bunnie, praising her success with social media and her podcast, and expressing immense joy at seeing her inspire others, particularly 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 he lost over 200 pounds, explaining that he was forced to step away from the internet due to the bullying. While Jelly Roll tries to hide the impact these comments have on him, Bunnie shared that they deeply affect him. She strongly refuted the idea that celebrities should simply ‘handle’ online negativity, emphasizing that it’s never okay to bully anyone, as you don’t know what struggles they might be facing. Bunnie made it clear she will always defend those who are targeted and won’t allow anyone to spread lies about her or her family, vowing to fight back against any form of bullying.

Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie, have been publicly sharing their journey to expand their family. After Jelly Roll mentioned they were considering having a baby, Bunnie explained on Instagram in June 2024 that they’ve been undergoing IVF treatment. She said they decided to share their experience because of their openness with fans, and acknowledged it’s been a difficult process with more challenges likely ahead.

Bunnie also revealed they are exploring surrogacy as an option, explaining on her podcast Dumb Blonde in March 2025 that she is unable to carry a child due to health risks. Despite the difficulties, both she and Jelly Roll are excited and hopeful about adding to their family, which already includes their children, Bailee and Noah. They hadn’t originally planned to have more children, but felt a change of heart this year and now desire a biological connection to a new child.

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2025-11-21 02:48