Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo are reportedly ending their nearly 10-year marriage, months after both had spoken candidly about the rocky period they once survived after his infidelity.
According to court records obtained by multiple outlets, including TMZ and E! News, the country star filed for divorce in Tennessee on May 18, 2026. Reports also said the filing listed irreconcilable differences and a date of separation of May 9.
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, married Bunnie Xo, born Alisa DeFord, in 2016 after a whirlwind romance that began in Las Vegas. Over the years, both have spoken publicly about the highs and lows of their relationship, including a period of separation after infidelity.
Jelly Roll is best known for songs including Wild Ones, Save Me and Son of a Sinner, while Bunnie Xo has built a large following as the host of the Dumb Blonde podcast and as an author. Her memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic, added fresh detail to the couple’s backstory earlier this year.
The couple first crossed paths in Las Vegas in 2015, when Bunnie met Jelly Roll at one of his shows at the Las Vegas Country Saloon, back before his mainstream breakthrough. At the time, he was living out of a van and performing for a small crowd.
After that relationship ended, Bunnie got Jelly Roll’s number through a friend. She later said he would often call and text her asking for advice about his daughter, Bailee, from a previous relationship.
Their connection became romantic when Jelly Roll returned to Las Vegas to shoot a music video and Bunnie offered him a place to stay.
He eventually proposed onstage during a Yelawolf and Deftones concert in Las Vegas.
“will your fine a** marry my white trash a** tonight in Las Vegas?”
That same night, they married at The Little White Chapel.
Jelly Roll later welcomed a son, Noah Buddy, with an ex. In 2016, he and Bunnie were also granted primary custody of Bailee because of her mother’s substance abuse issues.
The couple’s relationship has not always been smooth. In October 2025, Jelly Roll admitted on the Human School podcast that he had cheated on Bunnie, calling it one of the lowest points of his adult life.
‘one of the worst moments of [his] adulthood was when [he] had an affair on [his] wife’
“It was the first time that I was like, ‘I really can’t get this right at all. I know I’m in love with this woman.’ It just really, really, really blew me back.”
He said the two of them did extensive work to repair the relationship and eventually found their way back to each other, describing their bond afterward as stronger than ever. He also said that although he wished the affair had never happened, he was, in some ways, grateful for what they learned and for who they became afterward.
Bunnie Xo also discussed that period publicly while promoting her memoir. During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show earlier in 2026, she said the affair lasted for roughly a year. Rather than focus only on blaming her husband, she explained that she chose to examine her own role and personal growth as well.
She revealed that she initially left him before later reconciling when he came after her and asked for another chance. She also addressed that decision in a TikTok post in 2024.
“Our castle in the sand had to crumble so we could rebuild on solid ground,” she wrote.
Speaking to Kelly Clarkson, Bunnie said taking him back turned out to be the right call for her.
“the best decision”
“ever made”
She also made clear there would be no room for another repeat.
“Will he get a third? Absolutely f**king not.”
The breakup comes after a period in which the pair continued to present a united front publicly, including red carpet appearances and posts celebrating their family and career milestones. Bunnie had also previously said the couple had been pursuing IVF and had talked about growing their family.
Now, with divorce paperwork filed in May, it appears that the marriage has come to an end despite the work they once said they put into saving it.
Representatives of Jason DeFord and Alisa DeFord have been contacted for comment.
The pair’s love story grew alongside Jelly Roll’s rise from cult favorite to mainstream star. Bunnie’s Dumb Blonde podcast became a hit with celebrity guests, while Jelly Roll’s music career surged and he went on to become one of country music’s most visible crossover artists.
Bunnie also moved away from OnlyFans and the sex industry, and the pair later returned to The Little White Chapel to renew their vows.
“W/all odds stacked against us, it’s always been hard & we have only just begun.”
In more recent headlines, Bunnie joked that after Jelly Roll’s 275-pound weight loss, his penis had become “severely bigger”.
Now, their nearly decade-long marriage appears to be over following the divorce filing.