Jelly Roll’s Wife Bunnie Xo Addresses His Affair Confession

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Bunnie Xo is hopping into the conversation.

After singer Jelly Roll publicly admitted to past infidelity towards his wife, podcast host Dumb Blonde responded to a commenter who suggested she leave him.

Bunnie shared a message on Instagram on October 22nd stating that it takes real strength for a woman to confront challenges directly, work through them, and build a stronger relationship with her partner, rather than avoiding the situation or talking about it with others. She added that personal growth isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of grace.

Okay, so he’s 45, and he’s been married to her – the Halsey, you guys! – since 2016. And he just said the most amazing thing! He was basically like, ‘It takes a lot of strength to deal with this kind of negativity,’ and then he prayed that no one else ever has to feel the hurt that comes from judging someone else’s life. Seriously, he’s so insightful and protective of her, it’s everything! I just… I can’t even. It’s beautiful.

The day before, Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord) shared how much the emotional impact of his affair has affected him over time.

On the October 21st episode of the Human School Podcast, the 40-year-old revealed something he’d never spoken about publicly before: having an affair was one of the most difficult experiences of his adult life.

He explained that it was the first moment he realized he was completely unable to win her over, and that he truly loved her. He described the feeling as incredibly overwhelming and shocking.

Even after making a mistake, the singer of “Son of a Sinner,” who has a 17-year-old daughter named Bailee Ann and a 9-year-old son named Noah from previous relationships, focused on earning back Bunnie’s trust.

He explained that he put in a lot of effort to fix the relationship. He described the process as meaningful, and said they are now closer and more resilient than ever before.

Jelly Roll explained that his affair happened partly because he was surrounded by others who were unfaithful, but he also admitted that his own use of cocaine and alcohol contributed to the issue.

The Grammy-nominated artist, who has openly discussed his history with addiction, and his wife, Alyssa DeFord, now prioritize spending time with people they admire and want to emulate.

He admits he wishes their relationship hadn’t included infidelity, but ultimately expresses pride in the people they’ve become.

Read on to look back at Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s love story through the years. 

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 the show had a small audience of around 20 people.

Despite the unlikely pairing, they immediately connected. Bunnie described it as an instant soul connection, even though they didn’t seem like a typical match – he’s a fan of Taylor Swift, which isn’t usually her type.

However, a romance didn’t begin right away. Both were in other situations – 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 encounter, describing how, despite being very drunk, Jelly Roll asked her about her five-year plan. After discussing their goals, they decided to pursue a relationship.

Bunnie and Jelly Roll followed through on their plans quickly. They got married in Las Vegas just a month after they first discussed it, in August 2016, and then meticulously worked through a five-year plan together, culminating in buying a house.

Bunnie also had her own ambitions, including starting a podcast. Jelly Roll explained on The Howard Stern Show that when Bunnie decided to leave 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 later debuted the Dumb Blonde podcast that same year.

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

Oh my gosh, Jelly Roll’s story just gets me! His daughter, Bailee, was born in 2008, and it’s incredible because he was actually in prison at the time. He always says Bailee saved his life, and it’s so moving – she was just a baby! She came into his life around when he was two years old and starting to pursue music, living out of his van, but he admits he wasn’t the best dad then. But everything changed when he fought for full custody because of her mom’s struggles. It’s so sweet how Bunnie stepped up! Even though they were just starting their relationship, she completely supported him, even paid for the lawyer! They both realized they needed to get clean if they were going to bring Bailee into their lives. Bunnie said they had to ask themselves if they were any better than her mom if they were still using. It was a turning point for both of them, and Bunnie hasn’t touched a pill since! She really became a mom to Bailee, and it’s just beautiful. Seeing her Sweet 16 post for Bailee in 2024 brought me to tears – thanking Jelly for letting her be the mom she always wanted to be, and thanking Bailee for teaching her how to heal. It’s just…everything!

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, only sharing occasional glimpses. In July 2023, Bunnie posted a TikTok featuring Noah, asking him about his favorite things like soccer and playing at the beach. She emphasized that she had gotten permission from Noah’s mother before posting.

Bunnie and Jelly Roll have a good relationship with Noah’s mother, with Bunnie describing her as a wonderful person they couldn’t imagine their lives without. She explained that Noah’s mother provides crucial support, especially while Jelly Roll and Bunnie are often traveling for work.

Bunnie cherishes her role as Noah’s stepmother. She shared on Instagram in October 2024, after Noah attended one of his dad’s concerts, that watching him grow up is a joy and a privilege, and she’s grateful for both Noah and his mother.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie separated two years after getting married. Jelly Roll later admitted he had been unfaithful, calling it a low point in his life. Despite the difficult time, they decided to work on their relationship and got back together in 2018. He shared that rebuilding trust was challenging but ultimately made them stronger. While he wishes the affair hadn’t happened, he’s proud of the couple they are today. Bunnie reflected on the breakup and reconciliation, saying that having to ‘start over’ ultimately led them to a more solid and committed relationship, fulfilling promises they made early on.

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

Looking back, Bunnie described the last seven years as a challenging but rewarding journey. They worked hard to heal from past traumas, build a healthy relationship, and create a stable home for Bailee, their daughter. Through everything, they faced difficulties together with smiles and unwavering support.

Bunnie expressed her deep love and admiration for Jelly Roll, calling him her soulmate, safe haven, and best friend – truly one of a kind.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie continue to have a loving relationship, and she’s even been the inspiration behind some of his music, including songs like “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 being true to himself. He says he doesn’t have eyes for anyone else and wanted the song to reflect that vulnerability. The couple have also appeared together in his music videos for “Wheels Fall Off” and “Lonely Road,” which featured Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox.

Bunnie is a devoted fan and biggest supporter of her husband, Jelly Roll, whether she’s at his shows or watching from home. She publicly celebrated his 2024 CMT Music Awards nomination, acknowledging his twenty-year journey to success. She described a path filled with both quiet struggles and now, sold-out arenas.

Bunnie admires Jelly Roll’s songwriting, noting how his deeply personal lyrics connect with and heal those who are hurting, making them feel understood. Their strong relationship is inspiring to fans.

She affectionately calls him ‘Papabear’ and expresses her love, saying his voice has a healing power and reaches people all over the world. Jelly Roll is equally supportive of Bunnie, praising her success with social media and her podcast, and expressing how much joy he feels 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 he had to step away from the internet due to the bullying. While Jelly Roll doesn’t always show his hurt, Bunnie says the comments 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 someone is going through mentally. Bunnie vowed to defend those who are targeted and made it clear she won’t allow anyone to spread lies about her or her family, promising to fight back against any negativity.

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 had begun IVF treatments. They decided to share their experience because of their openness with fans, and because the process has already been challenging. Despite the difficulties, they remain optimistic.

Bunnie shared that they’ve been consulting with IVF doctors and exploring all possibilities to have another child. She explained that while they never initially planned to expand their family, their feelings changed this year, and they both want a biological child to add to their family, which already includes Bailee and Noah.

Bunnie also discussed considering surrogacy on her podcast, Dumb Blonde, in March 2025, explaining that she is unable to carry a child herself due to health risks.

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2025-10-23 23:48