Country Star Jelly Roll’s Divorce Sparks Family Unrest
The recent news of country music sensation Jelly Roll’s decision to divorce his wife of nearly a decade, Bunnie XO, has sent ripples through the music industry. However, the most profound impact appears to be within their complex blended family, which includes Jelly Roll’s teenage daughter and young son from previous relationships. Sources indicate that Bunnie XO’s relationship with her stepdaughter, 18-year-old Bailee Ann DeFord, was a significant consideration during the divorce proceedings.
Bunnie XO reportedly feels a deep, spiritual connection to Bailee. Before agreeing to the separation from Jelly Roll, her priority was ensuring her stepdaughter’s life remained stable. Reports suggest Bunnie wished to see Bailee graduate high school and begin college before finalizing the divorce.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO’s Marriage and Family Dynamics
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, officially filed for divorce from Bunnie XO, born Alisa DeFord, last month in Tennessee. The couple married in August 2016. Jelly Roll, 41, and Bunnie XO, 46, had been married for nearly ten years. Their union has been marked by significant challenges, including battles with addiction, infidelity, and a custody dispute over Jelly Roll’s daughter.
Despite these obstacles, Bunnie XO has been a steadfast presence by Jelly Roll’s side throughout his journey from hardship to achieving Grammy Awards. The former escort and now podcast host also stepped into a maternal role for Bailee and provided support for Jelly Roll’s nine-year-old son, Noah Buddy DeFord.
Bailee Ann DeFord’s Public Statement
Bailee Ann DeFord recently shared her feelings regarding the public attention surrounding her parents’ divorce. She expressed being “disgusted” by the extensive coverage, emphasizing that the split is “very clearly a private matter.” While thanking fans for their support and kindness, Bailee stated, “At the end of the day, no matter what, we are all humans with feelings and that is worthy of compassion.”
A Look at Jelly Roll’s Family History
Jelly Roll’s journey to fatherhood began while he was incarcerated after a drug dealing conviction in 2008. He met Bailee’s mother, Felicia Beckwith, prior to her pregnancy. Jelly Roll has spoken about Bailee profoundly changing his life and motivating him to become a better person. However, he did not meet his daughter until she was two years old, during a period when he was struggling financially and living in his van.
In a 2023 documentary, Jelly Roll described himself as a “less than present father” in Bailee’s early years. He noted that Beckwith initially made it difficult for him to see their daughter, requiring court intervention. As Bailee grew, Beckwith’s struggles with addiction, including fibromyalgia leading to pill use and subsequently heroin addiction, intensified. By the time Bailee was seven, Jelly Roll, with Bunnie’s assistance, pursued full custody.
Bunnie XO’s Role in Custody Battle and Bailee’s Upbringing
Bunnie XO, who was earning significant income as an escort, helped Jelly Roll secure a condo for Bailee and find legal representation. In 2016, Jelly Roll was awarded primary custody of Bailee. Felicia Beckwith lost custody that same year due to her substance abuse issues.
Social media interactions have previously hinted at a strained relationship between Jelly Roll and Bailee’s biological mother. A Facebook comment attributed to Jelly Roll in 2017 criticized Beckwith for not acting like someone who missed her daughter. However, over the following years, efforts were made to improve their co-parenting relationship. In May 2020, Beckwith, then sober and in recovery, reconnected with Bailee, with Jelly Roll’s support. A subsequent Facebook post showed Jelly Roll, Bunnie, Bailee, and Beckwith together, celebrating Beckwith’s 16 months of sobriety.
Jelly Roll expressed gratitude for Bunnie’s support, calling her a “special person who has a beautiful soul.” Unfortunately, Beckwith’s sobriety proved challenging. In 2024, during a speech about the fentanyl crisis, Jelly Roll alluded to Beckwith’s relapse, expressing concern about his daughter having to face the reality of her mother becoming a statistic.
Bailee’s Experience with Substance Abuse
Bailee shared details about her mother’s relapse on Bunnie’s podcast. During a summer visit with her mother in 2022, Bailee alleged that Beckwith provided her with alcohol and marijuana, encouraging her participation. Bailee further stated that her mother manipulated her into using an unspecified drug in a parking lot. Following this period, Bailee reported being “never sober” and consistently consuming various substances without her father or stepmother’s knowledge.
Upon Bailee’s return home, Jelly Roll and Bunnie recognized her struggles and helped her achieve sobriety. During this time, Bailee also ceased contact with her biological mother. Last year, Beckwith was arrested on drug charges, and recently sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of supervised probation.
Supportive Figures in Bailee’s Life
Despite the difficult relationship with her biological mother, Bailee has found significant stability and affection with Bunnie XO. Their close bond is evident on social media, with Bailee frequently sharing videos with Bunnie and referring to her as her “best friend” and “the most gorgeous woman I know.” Bailee has expressed deep love and gratitude for Bunnie, stating her life “changed forever, for the better” after gaining primary custody.
Another influential figure in Bailee’s life is Cheyenne Murphy, Beckwith’s former long-term girlfriend. Murphy has played an active role in Bailee’s upbringing, with their relationship documented through birthday tributes and shared activities, including attending Jelly Roll’s concerts. Murphy has requested privacy regarding the divorce, stating it is “NOT my place to speak on!”
Jelly Roll’s Younger Son, Noah Buddy DeFord
While Bailee has been more visible due to her father’s career, his younger son, Noah Buddy DeFord, has been kept largely out of the public eye. Jelly Roll welcomed Noah in August 2016 with his on-again, off-again girlfriend of ten years, Melisa Cowell. Court documents indicate that Jelly Roll and Cowell share custody of their son.
Initially, Cowell was granted full legal and physical custody, with Jelly Roll ordered to pay child support. A 2017 parenting plan outlined Cowell’s responsibility for Noah 282 days a year, with Jelly Roll having him for 83 days. The current custody arrangement remains unclear as no recent documents have been made public. Cowell reportedly plays an active role in Noah’s life, requiring approval for any social media posts featuring their son.
Bunnie XO’s Relationship with Melisa Cowell
Jelly Roll stated that he aims to “respect the boundary” regarding Cowell’s role in Noah’s life. He was recently seen with Noah at a college basketball game. Bunnie XO has publicly praised Cowell, calling her “one stand up chick” and expressing gratitude for her contributions to their family. “It takes a village to raise these babies & luckily we have her as a part of the family,” Bunnie stated.
Bunnie XO’s Personal Aspirations
Despite her active role in Jelly Roll’s children’s lives, Bunnie XO has expressed a desire to have biological children of her own. Before the divorce filing, the couple had been exploring options for surrogacy, including undergoing IVF due to Bunnie’s blocked fallopian tubes. Recently, she revealed in her memoir that they had found a surrogate. This dream now appears to be on hold indefinitely following the divorce.
