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The ‘growing tension’ that led to Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s ‘difficult’ divorce exposed

The singer filed for divorce from the podcast host after nearly a decade of marriage.​The singer filed for divorce from the podcast host after nearly a decade of marriage. 

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s divorce had been building behind the scenes for years over their changing lifestyles.

“Some people around them felt there was growing tension as Jelly embraced a more faith-centered lifestyle while Bunnie continued building the outspoken and provocative brand that had always been authentic to her,” a source exclusively told Page Six.

“Whether that’s fair or not, it became increasingly difficult to reconcile those two worlds.”

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s divorce had been building behind the scenes for years, according to an insider close to the couple. xomgitsbunnie/Instagram
“Some people around them felt there was growing tension,” a source exclusively told Page Six. (Seen above in May 2025) Penske Media via Getty Images

The insider continued to claim, “A lot of people want to point to one thing, but it was really a combination of issues that had been building for years.”

“They came from similar worlds when they met and bonded over surviving difficult circumstances, but over time their lives started moving in different directions,” the source said. “Jelly has changed tremendously over the last few years. His focus shifted to his health, faith, family and the long-term legacy he wants to leave behind.”

The “Dumb Blonde” podcast host shared a racy image just hours before news broke of Jelly’s divorce filing.

Bunnie shared a steamy photo of herself wearing pink satin lingerie. In the snap, she sat up on her knees on a brown couch as she began to take off her bra strap.

According to the insider, “Jelly embraced a more faith-centered lifestyle while Bunnie continued building the outspoken and provocative brand that had always been authentic to her.” Getty Images for CMT
“A lot of people want to point to one thing, but it was really a combination of issues that had been building for years,” the source said. Getty Images

“She’s getting her sparkle back,” she wrote atop the photo.

“Bunnie has always been unapologetically herself, and while that’s something [Jelly’s] admired about her, there were times when it felt like they were no longer aligned with where he saw his life heading or what he envisioned for the future,” the source said.

In January, Bunnie opened up about how she and Jelly Roll were trying to have a baby via in vitro fertilization.

The insider told Page Six, “There were also difficult conversations about expanding their family, timing and what they both wanted their future to look like. Those discussions became more complicated as his career continued to explode.”

The “Wild Ones” singer filed for divorce from Bunnie on May 18 after almost a decade of marriage. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Jelly Roll and Bunnie (pictured above in January 2026) secretly tied the knot at a Las Vegas courthouse in August 2016. jellyroll615/Instagram

In 2018, Bunnie and Jelly briefly separated after the “Son of a Sinner” singer had a months-long affair.

“When you add in the pressure of fame, constant public scrutiny and then the unresolved issues from the earlier years of their marriage, including trust issues they worked hard to overcome, it created a situation where they kept finding themselves having the same conversations over and over,” the source said.

“The sad part is that Bunnie stood by him through everything. She was there before the fame, before all the awards, before his sold out shows.”

“She stayed through some incredibly difficult periods, including challenges that would have ended a lot of marriages,” the insider added.

Reps for Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

In 2018, Bunnie and Jelly briefly separated after the “Son of a Sinner” singer had a months-long affair. WireImage
The source said that Bunnie “was there before the fame, before all the awards, before his sold out shows.” (Seen above in April 2024) Billboard via Getty Images

It was revealed on Monday that the “Wild Ones” singer, 41, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, filed for divorce from Bunnie, 46, on May 18 after almost a decade of marriage.

The legal documents, which were filed in Williamson County, Tennessee, cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their breakup.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa Andrea Carter, secretly tied the knot at a Las Vegas courthouse in August 2016 — just one year after the couple met at one of the country singer’s concerts.

The “Dumb Blonde” podcast host shared a racy image just hours before news broke of Jelly’s divorce filing. xomgitsbunnie/Instagram
During their relationship, Bunnie served as a stepmother to Jelly Roll’s two children — daughter Bailee Ann and son Noah Buddy. (Seen above in July 2024) Variety via Getty Images

They married the same night that Jelly Roll proposed. In 2023, they renewed their vows.

During their relationship, Bunnie served as a stepmother to Jelly Roll’s two children — daughter Bailee Ann, 18, and son Noah Buddy, 9.

Most recently, a moving truck was spotted outside of their shared residence in Tennessee. It’s unclear at this time as to whose items were being moved from their marital home.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO posing for a photo.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s divorce had been building behind the scenes for years, according to an insider close to the couple. xomgitsbunnie/Instagram
Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll at the 60th Academy Of Country Music Awards.
“Some people around them felt there was growing tension,” a source exclusively told Page Six. (Seen above in May 2025) Penske Media via Getty Images
Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll pose on the CMT Music Awards red carpet.
According to the insider, “Jelly embraced a more faith-centered lifestyle while Bunnie continued building the outspoken and provocative brand that had always been authentic to her.” Getty Images for CMT
Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll posing together at "Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic" book tour.
“A lot of people want to point to one thing, but it was really a combination of issues that had been building for years,” the source said. Getty Images
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo attending the 68th GRAMMY Awards.
The “Wild Ones” singer filed for divorce from Bunnie on May 18 after almost a decade of marriage. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo posing together.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie (pictured above in January 2026) secretly tied the knot at a Las Vegas courthouse in August 2016. jellyroll615/Instagram
Jelly Roll performs onstage during CMA Fest 2026.
In 2018, Bunnie and Jelly briefly separated after the “Son of a Sinner” singer had a months-long affair. WireImage
Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll smiling at the 2024 CMT Music Awards.
The source said that Bunnie “was there before the fame, before all the awards, before his sold out shows.” (Seen above in April 2024) Billboard via Getty Images
Bunnie XO in pink lingerie.
The “Dumb Blonde” podcast host shared a racy image just hours before news broke of Jelly’s divorce filing. xomgitsbunnie/Instagram
Noah Buddy DeFord, Bailee Ann, and Jelly Roll at the Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2024.
During their relationship, Bunnie served as a stepmother to Jelly Roll’s two children — daughter Bailee Ann and son Noah Buddy. (Seen above in July 2024) Variety via Getty Images

 

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