9 Shocking Truths About Jelly Roll’s Marriage To Bunnie XO: The Real Story Behind Their 'White Trash Love'

The question of whether Jelly Roll is married is an easy one to answer, but the story behind his marriage is anything but simple. As of December 18, 2025, the multi-award-winning country-rock star, whose real name is Jason DeFord, is still very much married to the love of his life, social media personality and podcaster Bunnie XO. Their relationship is a modern-day fairytale built on a foundation of chaotic beginnings, addiction, redemption, and a commitment to radical honesty that few celebrity couples dare to share.

Their nearly decade-long union, which they celebrated their ninth anniversary for in September 2025, is a testament to overcoming adversity, from an impromptu Las Vegas wedding to navigating public scrutiny over their pasts and their current, very public journey to expand their family. Their candidness about their struggles with infidelity, addiction, and fertility has made them one of the most compelling and talked-about couples in entertainment.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO: A Biographical Snapshot

To truly understand the depth of their relationship, one must first appreciate the complex lives they led before and after meeting. Their combined story is one of transformation.

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• Jelly Roll (Jason Bradley DeFord)
• Full Name: Jason Bradley DeFord
• Born: December 4, 1984 (41 years old as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
• Career: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter. Known for fusing country, rock, and hip-hop. Hits include "Son of a Sinner" and "Need a Favor."
• Past: Spent over a decade in and out of the judicial system for drug-related charges and aggravated robbery. Earned his GED in prison.
• Children: Daughter, Bailee Ann DeFord (born 2008), and son, Noah Buddy DeFord (born 2016), both from previous relationships.
• Bunnie XO (Alisa DeFord)
• Real Name: Alisa DeFord (also known as Alyssa DeFord)
• Career: Podcaster, Social Media Personality, Model. Host of the popular Dumb Blonde Podcast.
• Past: Was an escort in Las Vegas for several years. She has been open about her own battles with addiction.
• Role in Family: Stepmother to Bailee Ann and Noah Buddy. Instrumental in helping Jelly Roll gain full custody of Bailee.
• Upcoming: Releasing her memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic, in February 2026.

The Spontaneous Vegas Wedding That Started a 'White Trash Love Story'

Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO’s love story began in 2015 when they met backstage at one of his concerts in Las Vegas. At the time, Bunnie was in another relationship, but a connection was undeniable. She eventually reached out to reconnect, and their friendship quickly turned romantic. Jelly Roll, who was living in a van at the time, has often joked that their romance is a "white trash love story."

The couple didn't waste any time. In August 2016, just a year after they met, Jelly Roll proposed to Bunnie XO while he was performing on stage at a Yelawolf and Deftones concert. Not wanting to wait, they decided to get married immediately. They literally "stumbled into a little chapel in Las Vegas" and tied the knot in a spontaneous courthouse ceremony that same night. Jelly Roll would later admit he was "blackout drunk" on their wedding night and never got to see his bride in a dress.

This impulsive act, however, turned into a rock-solid commitment. Seven years later, in August 2023, the couple returned to the exact same Las Vegas chapel to renew their vows, finally giving Bunnie the chance to wear a wedding dress. This vow renewal symbolized their commitment and the rebuilding of their life together on "solid ground," as Bunnie described it.

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Addressing the Biggest Rumors: Cheating, Open Marriage, and IVF

Despite their public displays of affection on red carpets and social media, the couple has been forced to address several intense rumors about the state of their marriage, often choosing to face the "uncomfortable stuff" head-on.

The Truth About Infidelity and Rebuilding Trust

In a candid interview in late 2025, Jelly Roll admitted that he had an affair on Bunnie XO earlier in their marriage, calling it "one of the worst moments" of his adult life. He confessed that being around people who were also cheating on their wives influenced his poor choices. The country star emphasized that he did "a lot of work to repair that relationship," and they are now "stronger than we could have ever been."

Bunnie XO publicly responded to critics who questioned her decision to stay, arguing that it takes a "stronger woman to face pain head-on, do the work, and rebuild with the man she loves—instead of running or gossiping." She clarified that their brief split in 2018 ultimately led to them recommitting to each other and establishing a stronger foundation.

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Shutting Down the 'Open Marriage' Speculation in 2025

For years, a recycled clip from an old interview led to persistent rumors that Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO were in an open marriage. Bunnie XO definitively shut down this speculation in mid-2025. She clarified on her podcast that while they once believed in not trying to "control the other person" in the past, they are not in an open relationship today. She explicitly stated that their shared Christian faith was a major factor in changing the "uniform of our relationship," confirming they are now monogamous and committed to their faith.

Their Public IVF Journey to Expand the Family

One of the most current and emotional updates in their marriage involves their efforts to have a child together. In 2024, Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO publicly announced they were starting the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. Bunnie XO, who is a dedicated stepmother to Bailee Ann and Noah Buddy, has been open about the emotional toll and heartbreak of the fertility journey on her podcast. They chose to share their story, despite wanting to keep it private, to connect with and support others going through similar struggles.

The desire for a biological child together was a key motivator for Jelly Roll’s massive health transformation. He revealed that the idea of having a baby at his age made him realize he needed to live long enough to see that child into college, spurring his commitment to losing nearly 200 pounds and prioritizing his health.

The Secret to Their Unconventional, Lasting Love

Jelly Roll often credits his wife as "a beacon of change" and his "anchor" who provided the stability he needed to turn his life around and gain custody of his daughter. Their secret to a lasting marriage, despite their chaotic pasts and public lives, is surprisingly simple: radical honesty and a sense of humor.

The couple insists on having "uncomfortable conversations" upfront and prioritizing open, real, and honest communication. Furthermore, they commit to never going more than two weeks without seeing each other, even with Jelly Roll's demanding touring schedule. As Jelly Roll himself stated, their marriage isn't a picture-perfect fairytale, but it is real, tough, and built to last. Their shared journey of redemption—from addiction and incarceration to a celebrated, family-focused life—is the core of their enduring, unique bond.