Jelly Roll “will always love” Bunnie XO but he is confident that their marriage is over.
Jelly Roll “will always love” Bunnie XO.
The 41-year-old country music star – whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord – shocked fans when he filed for divorce from wife Bunnie XO, 46, last week and although he still has a lot of love for his wife, he is confident their marriage is over.
A source told PEOPLE: “The reality is that he will always love her, but that doesn’t mean that he wants to stay married. He’s in a very different place than he was when they met. For the first time, he feels healthy, focused and in control of his future.”
The pair met in 2015 and friends say Bunnie “believed in him” and helped him through some “difficult years”, which is why she was so shocked by their split.
The insider added: “She believed in him when not many people did and helped him through some very difficult years. He knows he wouldn’t be where he is today without her and he’s never going to forget that.
“Jelly has also been there for Bunnie through a lot. He’s supported her over and over again throughout the years, through ups and downs.”
Meanwhile, Bunnie is refusing to assign blame for the split and has insisted Jelly is her “best friend”.
Speaking on the Dumb Blonde podcast, she said: “I’m not going to say anything about Jay’s actions because I don’t feel like it’s the right time and I don’t feel like it’s my place.
“And I just want you guys to know like, you know, marriages take a lot of work.”
She added: “My f****** hat goes off to anybody who can be married for 10, 20, 30 years. Like, holy s***. Like, you guys are like (an) inspiration.
“My hat goes off to you guys.”
Despite the separation, Bunnie described Jelly as her “best friend” and stressed she remains committed to supporting him and their family, including his daughter Bailee and son Noah.
She added: “My family was always so important to me. And, when I said those vows with him, I really meant them.
“You know, Jay was my third marriage. And obviously, I’m not f****** good at marriage. F****** three strikes, you’re out, b****.”
Reflecting on the relationship she and Jelly built together, Bunnie said: “Listen. I can admit when I’m not good at something, you know? And marriage just probably isn’t it.
“But, you know, my husband and I built a f****** empire together.”
She added: “We saved each other and we put each other on the path that we did together. But he was the catalyst for me becoming the woman that I am today. And for that, I will always be (grateful.)”
‘He’s in a very different place than he was when they met’: Jelly Roll moving on from Bunnie XO marriage
