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Jelly Roll has been dominating the country-rap music landscape, and his achievements are significantly boosted by his remarkable wife, Bunnie XO. The couple appeared more devoted than ever, even as they navigated significant challenges together. However, in a turn of events, Jelly Roll initiated divorce proceedings against Bunnie in May 2026, a fact reported by TMZ the subsequent month.
Sources indicated to the publication that the separation was a shared decision. The specific reasons behind their breakup remain undisclosed.
During a candid discussion on the “Human School” podcast in 2025, Jelly confessed to infidelity, describing it as “one of the most regrettable experiences” of his adult life.
Bunnie has also been open about their shared journey. In August 2023, she shared a video on Instagram showing them walking hand-in-hand, accompanied by the caption, “This man and I have been through some sh**. Some days we’re fantastic, other days we struggle. But through it all, he is the most steadfast person I’ve ever encountered. I never knew how to experience healthy love before him. But I know one thing: I never want to learn how to live without him.”
She further embellished the post with, “Thanks for being the ultimate Zaddy, Mr. Rollskiiii 🤍✨”
Jelly Roll has been performing extensively across the nation, including numerous award ceremonies, with Bunnie frequently by his side. She accompanied him to the CMT Music Awards in April 2024, where they exuded happiness while posing for photographers on the red carpet. They exchanged vows in 2016, later reaffirmed their commitment at the same Las Vegas chapel, and celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary in September 2025.
Discover more about Bunnie and her connection with Jelly Roll below.
Bunnie Hosts a Major Podcast
With a reported age difference of 6 years and Jelly born in 1986, Bunnie appears to have been born in 1992, according to Taste of Country Nights. The outlet described Bunnie as a former “exotic model/host” and a “high school dropout who launched her career on YouTube.” She leveraged this success into an even more prosperous podcast named The Dumb Blonde Podcast.
Naturally, her social media presence is also substantial, with Bunnie commanding over a million followers on her Instagram account!
Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie XO in 2022. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock)
“She is my closest confidante, truly,” Jelly told Music Mayhem Magazine regarding Bunnie. “She has been my rock. She was instrumental in propelling my music career forward.” Let’s delve into the life of the captivating Bunnie XO!
Bunnie values connecting with the most authentic versions of her guests. In an Instagram post on April 27, where she was pictured lounging in a revealing bodysuit, she expressed her fascination with uncovering people’s true selves.
“I am drawn to unmade beds, to moments of vulnerability and raw honesty. I cherish the look in people’s eyes when they realize they are falling in love,” she wrote.
“I adore the way people appear upon waking, momentarily disoriented. I love the gasp when a beloved character meets their end. I appreciate when individuals close their eyes, lost in thought. I find myself captivated by genuine moments consistently. I am enamored by their emotional breakdowns, their smudged makeup, and their daydreams. Authenticity possesses a beauty that transcends mere words,” she concluded.
How Did Jelly Roll & Bunnie XO Meet?
Jelly Roll wed Bunnie, whose given name is Bunnie DeFord, in August 2016, reportedly after their initial encounter at one of his concerts in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to Music Mayhem.
“We clicked instantly,” Jelly Roll recalled, adding, “She mentioned she was captivated by the saddest eyes in the room.”
The initial meeting was undeniably impactful, as described by the rapper. “I felt a connection to her soul,” he elaborated. “When I embraced her, I could sense her sincerity. It was evident it wasn’t a pretense.”
Jelly Roll & Bunnie XO’s Relationship
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The couple shares a charming dynamic, and their unique quirks complement each other perfectly. Bunnie shared a heartwarming video of them seated together at a wedding reception, where they spontaneously began to synchronize their movements. The clip, captioned “Find someone who matches your weird,” can be viewed above!
Does Jelly Roll Have Kids?
Jelly was already a father of two prior to his relationship with Bunnie. From a previous relationship, he has a son named Noah Buddy DeFord, born in 2016, and from another romance, he has a daughter, Bailee Ann DeFord, born in May 2008.
“[Bunnie] has been instrumental in raising my daughter,” Jelly Roll shared with Music Mayhem. “We’ve had custody of her for the past nine years. It requires a truly selfless individual to help raise a child they did not give birth to.” The publication noted that Bunnie also serves as a stepmother to Noah.
Jelly Roll Was Crazy About His Estranged Wife
In a July 2023 post, Jelly Roll openly expressed his deep admiration for his wife. “A BUNNIE APPRECIATION POST!” he captioned a photograph of the couple embracing backstage, with Bunnie sporting a striking cutout bodysuit. “While my own story is often discussed, the truth is I’ve never been more moved by another person’s journey than that of my wife. Witnessing what this woman has overcome, her passion, and her determination to achieve a better life has inspired me from the moment we met.”
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He continued, elaborating, “She was my savior during one of the bleakest periods of my life. Her support has been unwavering. I recall her sitting at our kitchen table, articulating her vision for the ‘Dumb Blonde’ Podcast, explaining how it would enable her to leave the sex industry permanently. I watched her build her own platform, her own podcast, and her own team entirely independently. She desired to achieve this on her own terms—she didn’t want to be merely ‘Jelly Roll’s wife’; she aimed to establish her own empire to empower women and share her narrative, hoping to inspire others to believe in their capacity for change and happiness.”
He further mentioned that she would be joining him on tour, hosting her own fan meet-and-greets.
Jelly Roll Called One of Bunnie’s Exes ‘Abusive’
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“She was involved with a seriously abusive individual, and they attended a show where we were backstage,” Jelly Roll recounted about their first meeting in an interview with King and the Sting and the Wing Clips. “They parted ways, and I won’t pretend I made a move. She essentially initiated things. We had common acquaintances. She said, ‘Hey. Just connect me with Jelly.’”
Why Are Jelly Roll & Bunnie XO Getting a Divorce?
As previously mentioned, the reasons behind Jelly Roll and Bunnie’s decision to separate are not publicly known. According to TMZ, he submitted divorce papers in Tennessee in May 2026, making her his now-estranged wife.