Jelly Roll Files for Divorce from Wife Bunnie Xo

Country musician Jelly Roll has initiated divorce proceedings against his spouse, Bunnie Xo. Court documents from Williamson County, Tennessee, accessed by Fox News Digital, confirm that Jelly Roll filed the necessary paperwork on May 18. The couple’s separation date is recorded as May 9, citing irreconcilable differences.

Alisa DeFord, known professionally as Bunnie, married Jelly Roll in Las Vegas in August 2016, a year after meeting. The marriage saw Bunnie become a stepmother to Jelly Roll’s children, Bailee and Noah.

Earlier in the year, at the 2026 Grammy Awards held in February, Jelly Roll, at 41, and Bunnie, at 46, were seen expressing affection on the red carpet as well as during the ceremony. Jelly Roll acknowledged Bunnie during his acceptance speech for the Grammy award for Best Contemporary Country Album.

Bunnie has openly shared their tumultuous relationship journey in her memoir “Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic.” Her background includes a complex upbringing and challenging periods in her partnership with the singer-songwriter.

Years of difficulties and challenges preceded their current situation, with Bunnie recounting an instance where Jelly Roll’s ex-fling was discovered by her in a nearby hotel room during early marital issues. This revelation considerably impacted her, causing significant heartbreak and introspection.

Bunnie acknowledged her unconventional approach to marriage, highlighting their unique lifestyle as a “working girl” and an ex-drug dealer, stressing that their relationship dynamic differed from traditional norms.

Despite Bunnie’s efforts to address these issues internally, Jelly Roll released an album in 2018 titled “Waylon & Willie II,” which she associates with his affair, lamenting the content of the songs.

Bunnie discussed the transformation of her initial “fairy tale” into a distressing reality, attributing much of the difficulties to both their struggles with past issues and self-worth.

Efforts to rescue their marriage led them to couples’ therapy, which emerged as intensely confrontational rather than reparative. Despite the turmoil, they eventually reconsidered their separation and committed to evolving together, aspiring to break generational patterns.

In 2023, the couple renewed their vows in the original Las Vegas chapel from their wedding, affirming their continuous commitment to embrace and enhance their unity.

Bunnie emphasized the importance of accepting each other’s evolutions over a decade, learning to prioritize compassion and understanding, and confronting life’s challenges together.