Grammy-winning artist Jelly Roll files for divorce from wife Bunnie XO after nearly a decade of marriage

On May 18, 2026, the Nashville‑based music scene was jolted by a headline that felt more like a plot twist than a routine announcement: Jason Bradley DeFord—known to fans as Jelly Roll—officially filed for divorce from his wife, podcast host and media producer Bunnie XO (Alisa DeFord). The petition was lodged in the Williamson County, Tennessee, circuit court, the same jurisdiction that houses the state’s music capital.

The couple tied the knot on August 30, 2016, and over the years they became known for their candidness about the roller‑coaster of married life. Together they raised two children: 18‑year‑old Bailee Ann and 9‑year‑old Noah Buddy. Though the kids came from Jelly Roll’s earlier relationships, Bunnie XO has proudly embraced her role as their step‑mother in interviews and on social media.

In a memoir released earlier this year, Bunnie XO revealed that the pair had been actively planning to expand their family. She wrote about securing a surrogate and hoping for twins, and also detailed the IVF stimulation cycles they had begun. Their openness about fertility treatments and surrogacy was part of a broader pattern of sharing personal milestones with their audience.

The divorce filing follows a history of public admissions of marital strain. A brief split in 2018, which Bunnie XO later called a turning point, seemed to bring them back together. Yet in 2025, Jelly Roll admitted on a podcast that he had an affair and that he had worked to repair the marriage. Bunnie XO has also spoken about their earlier open‑relationship arrangement, noting that they allowed each other to pursue other romantic connections.

Court documents show the couple separated on May 9, 2026, and the divorce petition was filed the following week. The filing cites irreconcilable differences as the grounds for dissolution. No settlement agreement has been announced, and lawyers for either side have yet to respond to requests for comment.

The story has attracted attention from both the music and podcasting communities. Jelly Roll’s career, which spans rap, country, and contemporary Christian music, earned him several awards, including a Grammy in 2026. Bunnie XO is best known for her long‑form interview podcast, the Dumb Blonde Podcast, and for her memoir.

While the couple has been public about many aspects of their life, the decision to end their marriage was not widely reported until the court filing. Given their visibility, the divorce is poised to draw scrutiny from fans of both industries.

At this time, no further details—such as asset division or child‑custody arrangements—have been released. The case will be heard in the Williamson County circuit court, and the parties may pursue mediation before a final judgment is issued.

The filing marks a significant shift for a couple that had long served as a public example of a blended family in the entertainment world. Their journey illustrates how personal challenges can intersect with public careers, and how couples navigate complex issues such as fertility, infidelity, and open relationships.

For now, the public will have to wait for additional statements from the parties or their attorneys. The divorce filing is the only confirmed information about the end of their marriage.