In the high-gloss world of country music, few stories are as gritty, authentic, or deeply moving as the meteoric rise of Jason DeFord—known to the world as Jelly Roll—and his wife, the entrepreneurial powerhouse Bunnie Xo. While the "Need a Favor" singer has dominated the charts and swept award ceremonies, it is his personal transformation that has recently captured the public’s imagination. After shedding a staggering 275 pounds over the last five years, the Grammy winner isn’t just breathing easier; he is, according to his wife, "peacocking" with a brand-new sense of self-assurance that has revitalized every corner of their lives, including their bedroom.
The couple’s candid nature has always been their trademark, but Bunnie Xo took transparency to a new level during a recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show. Speaking with her signature wit, the podcast host and digital creator confirmed that her husband’s dramatic physical overhaul has led to significant "NSFW" benefits. She playfully teased that Jelly Roll’s confidence has soared alongside his physical changes, noting that he now carries a certain "strut" in his step. For Bunnie, seeing her husband of nine years finally "feel his best" is the ultimate reward. She expressed a deep desire for him to enjoy this "hot streak," emphasizing that after years of struggle, he deserves to embrace his newfound vitality.
This current chapter of health and happiness stands in stark contrast to the challenges Jelly Roll faced before his weight loss. The singer has been remarkably open about the physiological toll his previous lifestyle took on him, revealing in past interviews that his testosterone levels were once comparable to those of a preteen boy. He admitted that the hormonal imbalance made intimacy difficult, even while being married to a woman he frequently describes as a "smoke show." He once humorously, yet poignantly, compared their past physical encounters to a frustrating game of Twister. Today, however, that struggle is a distant memory. Jelly Roll now describes himself as having the energy of a teenager, jokingly comparing his new, impulsive romantic energy to the Pink Panther bursting out of corners to surprise his wife.
To understand the depth of their current bond, one must look back to the unconventional foundation of their relationship. The pair first crossed paths in August 2015 at the Las Vegas Country Saloon. At the time, Jelly Roll was far from a household name; he was a struggling artist living out of a van, performing for crowds that sometimes numbered fewer than twenty people. Bunnie, meanwhile, was navigating a difficult and unhealthy relationship. Despite the odds, their connection was instantaneous. Bunnie has often remarked that meeting him felt like a soul-level recognition, describing the experience as the ultimate cliché: "There you are."
Their romance didn’t ignite immediately, as both were untangling themselves from their respective lives. However, by late 2015, they reconnected. When Bunnie’s previous partner was incarcerated, she made the first move by sending Jelly Roll her number. What began as a platonic friendship—where he would seek her advice on raising his daughter, Bailee—shifted into a permanent romantic flame in the summer of 2016. In a whirlwind typical of their high-energy lives, they discussed a "five-year plan" while in a drunken haze in Las Vegas and decided to commit then and there. They were married just one month later at the Stained Glass Wedding Chapel.
The "five-year plan" wasn’t just talk; it was a blueprint for a total life overhaul. Bunnie, who was working in the sex work industry when they met, became the silent engine behind Jelly Roll’s early success. She invested her own savings into his 2017 album, Addiction Kills, and provided the financial and emotional stability he needed to seek full custody of his daughter, Bailee Ann. In 2019, Bunnie successfully transitioned out of sex work to launch her now-massive Dumb Blonde podcast, a move Jelly Roll supported with the same fervor she had shown for his music.
Their family life is a testament to redemption and the power of "bonus" parenting. Bailee Ann, born in 2008 while Jelly Roll was incarcerated for drug dealing, is the light of their lives. Jelly Roll has frequently credited his daughter with saving him, though he admits he was a "less-than-present" father in her earliest years. When he and Bunnie decided to seek custody to provide Bailee with a stable home away from the cycle of addiction, Bunnie didn’t just bankroll the legal fees; she stepped into the role of a mother with fierce devotion. She has often thanked Jelly Roll for giving her the chance to be the mother she never had, while Bailee has flourished under their combined care.
The family also includes Jelly Roll’s son, Noah Buddy, born in 2016 just as the couple was beginning their life together. While they keep Noah’s life more private than Bailee’s, the family dynamic is one of radical inclusivity. Bunnie has maintained a positive, respectful relationship with Noah’s biological mother, often praising her on social media as a "stand-up chick." This blended family success story is a cornerstone of the couple’s public identity, proving that unconventional beginnings can lead to exceptionally healthy endings.
However, the road hasn’t always been smooth. In 2018, the couple faced a major crisis that led to a temporary separation. During this period, Jelly Roll admitted to having an affair, an act he describes as one of the lowest moments of his adulthood. The heartbreak of the split forced both to re-evaluate their commitment. Bunnie moved back to Las Vegas, but the separation didn’t last long. Jelly Roll fought to win her back, and they used the experience to rebuild their marriage on a more honest, "solid ground." They emerged from the fire stronger, eventually renewing their vows in 2023 to celebrate seven years of what Bunnie calls their "whirlwind dark fairytale."
Today, Bunnie remains Jelly Roll’s greatest muse. His hit songs "Woman" and "Kill a Man" were written in her honor, born from his desire to express profound vulnerability while maintaining his rugged identity. She is a constant fixture by his side on red carpets, from their 2022 CMA debut to the Grammys, where they often joke about being the "Addams Family" of the country music scene—misfits who finally found where they belong.
Yet, even with their success, the couple continues to face battles. Bunnie has become a fierce defender of her husband against the vitriol of internet trolls. In early 2024, she revealed that Jelly Roll had briefly retreated from social media due to relentless bullying regarding his weight. Her advocacy for him is tireless, reminding her millions of followers that celebrities are humans with mental health struggles, too. Her protective nature is a reflection of the "underdog" spirit they both share.
As they look to the future, the couple is embarking on perhaps their most personal journey yet: the quest to have a biological child together. In mid-2024, they went public with their decision to undergo IVF and surrogacy. Bunnie has been transparent about the risks that prevent her from carrying a child herself, but she remains hopeful. Whether they successfully add a new member to their "perfectly imperfect" family or eventually turn to adoption, they are facing the challenge as they have everything else—hand-in-hand.
The story of Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo is more than just a Hollywood transformation or a chart-topping music career. It is a narrative of two people who refused to be defined by their pasts, choosing instead to "bust out of every corner" of life with a renewed sense of purpose, health, and an unbreakable bond that continues to inspire fans worldwide.
