Jelly Roll Divorce Troubles Highlight Complex Marriage

Country music star Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from his wife, Bunnie Xo, citing irreconcilable differences. Court records revealed the paperwork was submitted on May 18 in Williamson County, Tennessee, with the date of separation listed as May 9.

“Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s relationship faced challenges, stemming from their unconventional beginnings.”

Jelly Roll, whose birth name is Jason DeFord, married Bunnie, real name Alisa DeFord, in a Las Vegas ceremony in August 2016, after meeting the previous year. She became the stepmother to Jelly Roll’s daughter, Bailee, and his son, Noah.

During the February 2026 Grammy Awards, the couple displayed affection on the red carpet, coinciding with Jelly Roll’s win for Best Contemporary Country Album. Bunnie addressed their tumultuous relationship in her memoir, “Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic,” where she discussed the ups and downs, including learning Jelly Roll’s ex-fling awaited him in a nearby hotel.

“When I found out, I was devastated,” she said. “I didn’t think he’d be the one to hurt me.”

Bunnie reflected on their non-conventional marriage, mentioning both of them brought unique backgrounds to their union — she being a ‘working girl’ and Jelly Roll a ‘gangster-turned-struggling artist.’ Despite the differing lifestyles, she stated cheating was universally wrong.

She shared how Jelly Roll’s 2018 album, “Waylon & Willie II,” was filled with guilt over the affair. Bunnie expressed disdain for the album’s songs due to the emotional turmoil it represented.

Realizing their marriage had become a nightmare due to unresolved past issues, both Jelly Roll and Bunnie acknowledged they underestimated their relationship’s potential for success due to self-worth challenges.

Therapy sessions intended to help led instead to heated arguments, revealing deep-rooted anger and pain. Despite initial despair, they chose to work on themselves, deciding to break generational curses and improve personally.

Bunnie emphasized that marriage requires daily commitment, even when disliked, and in 2023, they renewed their vows in Las Vegas. The dedication to choosing each other daily and confronting life’s challenges together was a key takeaway.

“I’ve seen 10 different versions of my husband in 10 years,” Bunnie remarked. “We love each other for who we are.” The couple’s approach to facing issues head-on acknowledges their honest engagement with life’s complexities.