Jelly Roll filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo after nearly 10 years together, but a source says the country star still has deep love for his estranged wife.
“The reality is that he will always love her, but that doesn’t mean that he wants to stay married,” the source told PEOPLE of Jelly, 41, born Jason Bradley DeFord.
The singer filed for divorce from Bunnie, 46, whose legal name is Alisa DeFord, in Williamson County, Tenn., on May 18. The filing lists their date of separation as May 9 and cites irreconcilable differences.
“He’s in a very different place than he was when they met,” the source told the publication. “For the first time, he feels healthy, focused and in control of his future.”
The couple met in 2015, before both became widely known. They married in 2016 and renewed their vows in 2023. Bunnie “believed in him when not many people did and helped him through some very difficult years,” the source added. “He knows he wouldn’t be where he is today without her and he’s never going to forget that.”
Another insider says Jelly has also supported Bunnie “over and over again throughout the years.”
Jelly addressed the split onstage June 18 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., telling fans, “Me and my wife are best friends, we will always be best friends.” He added, “Nobody cheated on nobody.”
On a recent episode of her podcast, Bunny revealed that they still plan to have a child together.
