Credit: @xomgitsbunnie/Instagram
Jelly Roll Makes Surprising Career Move After Filing For Divorce From Bunnie Xo
Jelly Roll has made a surprising new career move just days after news broke that he filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo.
The country star, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, has been at the center of intense public attention after it emerged that his nearly decade-long marriage to Bunnie had come to an end.
The split shocked fans because the pair had long been viewed as one of country music’s most devoted and unconventional couples.
But while their personal life continues to make headlines, Jelly Roll is now preparing for a major return to television.
Their split stunned fans
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, first met in 2015 at one of his concerts.
They married the following year in Las Vegas after Jelly Roll proposed during a night out.
Over the years, their relationship became a huge part of both of their public identities.
Bunnie supported Jelly Roll through his early career, legal battles, recovery journey, and eventual rise to mainstream country stardom.
She also became a major maternal figure in his family, helping raise his daughter Bailee Ann and remaining close to his son Noah.
For years, the couple spoke lovingly about one another in interviews, on podcasts, and on red carpets.
That made the divorce news even more unexpected.
Jelly Roll filed in May
Court documents revealed that Jelly Roll filed for divorce in Williamson County, Tennessee, on May 18.
The filing reportedly listed irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
Documents also stated that the couple separated on May 9.
Jelly Roll asked the court to approve a marital dissolution agreement allowing for an equitable division of the couple’s assets and debts.
The pair are believed to own multiple properties together, including a Tennessee home and land outside Nashville.
After the news broke, moving trucks were photographed outside their shared residence, though it was unclear whose belongings were being removed.
Fans noticed warning signs
Before the divorce was confirmed, some fans had already noticed signs that something might be wrong.
Jelly Roll appeared without his wedding ring during several recent public appearances, including while performing at CMA Fest in Nashville.
Some online followers claimed he had not been wearing it consistently since earlier in the year.
Bunnie also shared several cryptic social media posts before the divorce news surfaced.
In one, she wrote that she was “getting her sparkle back.”
In another video, she walked past trash cans while text on screen referred to exes ruining a good shot.
She also posted about ‘women’s intuition’ when something ‘don’t add up.’
Those posts quickly gained renewed attention after the split became public.
Bunnie revealed the fight that led to the filing
Bunnie later addressed the divorce in an emotional episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast.
She revealed that the argument which ultimately triggered the filing happened on Mother’s Day.
According to Bunnie, she and Jelly Roll were not good at arguing and often held things in instead of confronting difficult issues.
She said that during the argument, she became exhausted and overwhelmed.
At one point, she told him: “Well, then file the f***ing divorce papers.”
Bunnie explained that divorce was the one thing they were never supposed to say during a fight.
But after she left and the pair went several weeks without speaking, Jelly Roll did exactly what she had told him to do.
Bunnie later said the divorce was not mutual, even though she had said those words in anger.
Their IVF journey took a toll
Bunnie also revealed that the couple’s IVF journey had placed enormous strain on their marriage.
She said trying to have a baby was one of the darkest and loneliest experiences of her life.
According to Bunnie, the process ‘wrecked’ her emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
She said she became a ‘shell’ of herself while trying to produce enough eggs to have a child with Jelly Roll.
The couple also suffered devastating losses, with Bunnie revealing they lost four embryos and had three unsuccessful transfers.
She described the experience as gut-wrenching.
Bunnie also said Jelly Roll had fertility challenges of his own and was placed on hormones and medication, which she claimed made him difficult to be around.
Despite the split, she said they still plan to have a child together and co-parent as a family.
They deny cheating caused the breakup
As speculation swirled online, both Jelly Roll and Bunnie pushed back against rumors that infidelity caused the split.
Bunnie said clearly that nobody cheated.
She told listeners that the relationship had simply reached a point where they had served their purpose for each other.
Jelly Roll also addressed the breakup during a concert in Saratoga Springs, New York.
He told the audience that Bunnie remains his best friend.
“We will always be best friends,” he said.
He also said she would “probably be the only woman” he would ever love in that way.
The singer denied that an affair was behind the separation.
Bunnie says they remain close
Even though their marriage is ending, Bunnie insisted the bond between them is not over.
She described Jelly Roll as her “twin flame” and “soulmate.”
She also said he saved her and helped her become the woman she is today.
Bunnie revealed that Jelly Roll is already dating again, but said she is happy for him.
She added that she is not ready to date herself and is focused on healing.
The podcast host has also defended Bailee Ann amid public commentary about the divorce, saying: “That’s my baby. I love her.”
Jelly Roll makes surprising career move
Now, amid the public attention surrounding his divorce, Jelly Roll is making a major career move, per Page Six.
The singer has been announced as one of the celebrity guest hosts stepping in for Jimmy Kimmel Live! while Jimmy Kimmel takes a two-month hiatus.
Kimmel announced the break on Thursday’s episode, telling viewers that he would be taking ‘the next two months off, this time voluntarily.’
He then revealed a lineup of guest hosts set to fill in during his absence.
The list includes Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, Rosie O’Donnell, and Jelly Roll.
This will not be Jelly Roll’s first time behind Kimmel’s desk.
He previously guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! for two episodes in July 2025.
The timing of the announcement has caught fans’ attention, coming just days after the divorce filing became public.
But while Jelly Roll’s personal life is changing dramatically, his professional rise appears to be continuing.
From music stages to late-night television, the singer is stepping into yet another high-profile role at one of the most talked-about moments of his life.
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