Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from his wife Bunnie Xo after nearly 10 years of marriage, and court records show the couple had already separated earlier in the month before the filing became public.
According to court filings, the country singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, submitted the divorce complaint in Franklin, Tennessee, in May. The documents list “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split and state that the couple separated on May 9.
Jelly Roll, 41, and Bunnie, born Alisa DeFord, had recently appeared together at major public events, including the 2026 Grammy Awards in February, where he won Best Contemporary Country Album. During his acceptance speech, he became emotional while speaking about Bunnie.
“I would have never changed my life without you,”
he said at the time.
“I would have ended up dead or in jail. I would have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus.”
Just days before the listed separation date, the pair were celebrating his daughter Bailee’s prom. The evening appeared on social media, where Bunnie described them as:
“Maw & Paw of the Prom Queen.”
On May 9, the same date now listed as their separation day, Bunnie also shared a TikTok featuring herself, Jelly Roll, and Bailee together with the caption:
‘Never believed in ever after happily until y’all.’
The pair originally tied the knot in a private courthouse ceremony on August 30, 2016. The wedding took place the same night Jelly Roll proposed, after the two had been together for about a year.
In 2023, they returned to the same chapel to renew their vows. Jelly Roll is also father to son Noah and daughter Bailee, both from previous relationships, while Bunnie has often spoken about being a dedicated stepmother to them.
The couple had also been open over the years about the more difficult chapters in their marriage. In Bunnie’s memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic, released in February 2026, she wrote about the work it took to keep their relationship strong and described Jelly Roll as her “soulmate.”
More recently, they had spoken publicly about their hopes of expanding their family, as well as the challenges they experienced with IVF. In her memoir, Bunnie said the couple had found a surrogate and were hoping for twins.
Speaking to PEOPLE in January, she said:
“I think we’re just ready for a piece of us,’
“It has not been easy, but I know that God has a plan and he’s going to make it work.”
Representatives for the couple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
