Bunnie Xo calls Jelly Roll divorce a 'blessing' on Today
Bunnie Xo explains the silver lining in her Jelly Roll divorce as a chance to rebuild: on NBC's "Today" show, the podcaster called the split "beautifully tragic" yet "a blessing," said she loves being single after nearly 10 years of marriage, and confirmed she still wants to have a baby.
The former power couple's breakup has dominated country music gossip since Jelly Roll filed in May and they settled in July. Bunnie Xo's candid interview with co-hosts Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager offered fans a first look at how she's framing life after one of Nashville's most talked-about marriages.
Key Takeaways
- Bunnie Xo told "Today" her divorce from Jelly Roll is "beautifully tragic" but carries a "silver lining" she calls "a blessing."
- The couple married in Las Vegas in 2016, briefly split in 2018, and were together nearly a decade before Jelly Roll filed on May 18 citing irreconcilable differences.
- They settled the divorce in July 2026; Jelly Roll told concertgoers in June the pair "will always be best friends."
- Bunnie, 46, says she loves being single, her DMs are flooded with suitors, and she "definitely" still wants to have a baby.
- She hopes her journey inspires women to "pour into yourself" during hard times.
Why did Bunnie Xo call her Jelly Roll divorce a blessing?
Speaking Thursday on "Today," Bunnie — whose real name is Alisa DeFord — said deeply personal breakups can feel devastating while still opening doors. "I know when something like that that's deeply personal happens, it's a beautifully tragic, but at the same time there's always a silver lining, there's always something better to look forward to," she told Jones and Hager.
She went further, labeling the end of her marriage to the Grammy-winning "Save Me" singer "a blessing." Bunnie, host of the "Dumb Blonde" podcast, also pushed back on defining women solely by their relationships: "There's so much more to talk about with me especially, and with women, than their past lovers and people in their lives."
What did Bunnie say about dating, DMs, and wanting a baby?
After nearly a decade as Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie said she's thriving solo. "Ladies, they should've never let me back out in the streets because I love it here, and I'm never going back," she joked. She described her direct messages as "a freakin smorgasbord" of suitors with "amazing" pickup lines — "It's so much fun in there, I don't even know who to reply to."
On motherhood, Bunnie confirmed she "definitely" still wants a baby, a goal she had discussed with Jelly Roll before their split. She teased the topic for her next book: "That's going to be one of my newest chapters of my next book, and I can't wait for you guys to read about it because it's been one hell of a journey, let me tell you."
She encouraged women to prioritize themselves: "Sometimes you need to be selfish and you need to pour into yourself." Though she doesn't consider herself a role model, Bunnie said she hopes others can learn from her mistakes and rise stronger.
When did Jelly Roll file for divorce and what happens next?
Jelly Roll, 41, filed for divorce from Bunnie on May 18, 2026, citing standard "irreconcilable differences." The former couple, who tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2016 and reconciled after a 2018 split, settled their divorce in July, according to Page Six.
At a June show in Saratoga Springs, New York, the country superstar told fans he and Bunnie "will always be best friends." For more on the split and other Hollywood breakups, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Bunnie Xo's "Today" appearance marks a pivot from heartbreak headlines to a message of resilience — one she hopes proves that even "beautifully tragic" chapters can lead somewhere better.