News of singer Jelly Roll and podcaster wife Bunnie Xo’s split shocked fans around the world this week. The country star, 41, reportedly filed for divorce on May 18, per court documents, just shy of their 10-year wedding anniversary. But in the wake of the split, it seems as though there were plenty of signs pointing to relationship troubles before the news broke.
He reportedly listed their date of separation as May 9 in the documents. The couple had seemed rock solid, which is why the news of their split has shocked fans, often gushing about their relationship and each other in interviews. But, in recent weeks things appear to have changed, from missing wedding rings during high-profile gigs to cryptic Instagram captions, there were signs that things were not going well for the former couple.
Missing wedding ring
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, performed at the CMA Fest in the US earlier this month, without his wedding ring on his left ring finger. The hitmaker, who is known for songs including I Am Not Okay and Liar, had reportedly filed for divorce about two weeks before the gig.
His wedding ring is a black tungsten ring that he often wore, but the singer hasn’t worn the wedding band publicly in quite some time. The singer also went without it during a February appearance alongside Bunnie, but he may have stopped wearing the ring earlier due to his recent 300-lb (136kg) weight loss, which may have caused the ring to no longer fit.
The singer and Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, 46, married in August 2016 and renewed their vows back in 2023.
Cryptic Instagram posts
On June 7, Bunnie shared a video of herself horseriding in a country setting while she flashed a smile to the cameras. The post was accompanied by a slow country song and a cryptic caption. “Wild hearts can’t be broken,” she captioned the clip.
After news of their split broke, fans have gone back to the post and left plenty of comments. One follower commented: “I’m so sorry Bunnie baby it only hurts if you let it.” “I came to check this post specifically after I heard the date he filed…. and it all makes sense 🫶🏽 I love you and just know that YOU WILL BE JUST FINE, BABE!!” another replied. One fan said: “I guess this post hits different today. I wish you healing and peace as you move forward in your new phase of life 💜”
Another post she recently shared on her Instagram Stories, where she was dressed in pink lingerie, was captioned: “She’s getting her sparkle back [stars emoji].”
Their last public appearance
The former couple’s last public appearance together was at the star-studded Grammys in February this year. Bunnie was seen flashing her diamond wedding and engagement ring as they hit the red carpet together, with the podcaster turning heads in a red lace dress. In a speech onstage after he won an award, the singer even shared a sweet dedication to his wife as she watched on.
“First of all, Jesus, I hear you, and I’m listening. Lord, I am listening. Lord. Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife,” he said. “I would have never changed my life without you. I would have ended up dead or in jail. I would have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus. I thank you for that.”
However in May, they did appear in an Instagram video together, which would have been around the time of their marriage breakdown. Meanwhile last year on her Dumb Blonde podcast, Bunnie hit back after they hadn’t been seen together for a while.
“Someone said the other day, ‘They used to always be together, and now you never see them together’,” she said at the time. “I’m like, ‘Do you guys not know that for the past six months [that] I’ve been trying to make a baby?’”
The pair are yet to share a public statement on their split.
