Jelly Roll breaks silence on Bunny Xo divorce on stage after podcast revelation

Musician Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, and his wife Bunnie Xo are divorcing after nearly 10 years of marriage. According to Bunnie Xo in a YouTube video and Jelly Roll during a performance in Saratoga Springs, New York, the split was not mutual but remains amicable, with both parties denying cheating rumors.

Why are Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo divorcing?

Bunnie Xo detailed the breakdown of the marriage on the “Dumb Blonde Podcast,” stating she felt she had “lost her sparkle.” She claimed she spent the duration of the relationship “chasing” the singer and felt she “always loved him a little bit more” than he loved her.

Xo stated the situation peaked during an argument where, out of anger and frustration, she told DeFord to “file the divorce papers.” After several weeks of silence, DeFord filed for divorce, a move Xo described as a surprise.

While Xo pushed for couples therapy to salvage the marriage, she stated DeFord “didn’t want that.” She noted it took her a month and a half to respect his decision to decline therapy.

Did You Know? The couple married on August 31, 2016, and filed for divorce just shy of their 10th wedding anniversary.

What did Jelly Roll say about the split?

Speaking to a crowd of thousands in Saratoga Springs, New York, the 41-year-old singer addressed the divorce mid-performance. He described Bunnie as his “best friend” and stated he still loves her, noting she may be the only woman he will ever love in that manner.

Kristin Cavallari | Dumb Blonde Podcast

DeFord explicitly denied allegations of infidelity, telling the crowd, “Nobody cheated on nobody.” He encouraged fans to watch Xo’s podcast, asserting that “every word of it is the truth.”

DeFord concluded his remarks by thanking Xo for their 10 years together and expressing hope for “the next 10 years of friendship, and 20 beyond that.” He later shared a video of this address on his Instagram account.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the couple’s decision to maintain a “best friend” dynamic while pursuing a legal split suggests a strategic effort to preserve their public image and personal support system. The transition from spouses to co-parents via IVF represents a highly unconventional approach to divorce that prioritizes family expansion over traditional separation.

What happens next for the couple?

Despite the divorce, DeFord and Xo plan to have a baby together. Xo revealed the pair will continue their IVF journey and co-parent as “one big happy family.”

The legal proceedings appear amicable. Xo noted that DeFord has already handed over the keys to a new compound the couple had been building together.

Future interactions may remain centered on their shared goal of starting a family, though DeFord stated in Saratoga Springs that he does not intend to discuss the divorce publicly again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was there cheating involved in the divorce?
No. Both Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo have denied cheating rumors, with Jelly Roll stating on stage, “Nobody cheated on nobody.”

Was the decision to divorce mutual?
According to Bunnie Xo, the divorce was not mutual. She stated that while she told him to file papers during an argument, she was speaking out of frustration and later sought couples therapy, which DeFord declined.

Are Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo still planning to have children?
Yes. Bunnie Xo stated they are still planning on having a baby together through IVF and intend to co-parent.

How do you view the couple’s decision to co-parent a child while divorcing?