Jelly Roll 'Will Always Love' Bunnie Xo Despite Divorce but 'He's in a Very Different Place' Now: Source (Exclusive)

Daniela Avila, Jeff NelsonFri, June 19, 2026 at 11:04 PM UTC

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Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll in Las Vegas in February 2026Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty -

A source tells PEOPLE Jelly Roll still loves Bunnie Xo, despite filing for divorce

At a show on June 18, Jelly Roll acknowledged their split but emphasized their continued friendship and mutual respect

He also said there was no infidelity involved in the decision

Jelly Roll still has love for Bunnie Xo.

Days after the news broke that the country star quietly filed for divorce from the Dumb Blonde podcast host, a source tells PEOPLE how he's coping after the split.

"The reality is that he will always love her, but that doesn't mean that he wants to stay married," the source says of the "Need a Favor" singer, 41. Now, Jelly (born Jason Bradley DeFord) is in "a very different place than he was when they met," the source says. "For the first time, he feels healthy, focused and in control of his future."

The source adds of Bunnie: "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."

When the exes met each other in 2016, both were struggling with personal issues and had not yet risen to fame.

"Jelly has also been there for Bunnie through a lot," another insider adds of the singer. "He's supported her over and over again throughout the years, through ups and downs."

Reps for Jelly and Bunnie did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Jelly filed for divorce from Bunnie (also known as Alisa DeFord) in Williamson County, Tenn. on May 18, according to documents obtained and court records viewed by PEOPLE. Their date of separation is listed in the documents as May 9; the grounds for divorce are listed as irreconcilable differences.

Jelly Roll broke his silence while on stage at the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., stop of his Little ASS Shed Tour on Thursday, June 18, where he played for a sold-out crowd of 26,000 fans.

"While we're talking about liars, the internet is a liar too," he said in a video posted to his Instagram account. "This is the only time and the only city I'm going to speak about this, so break your camera phones out now."

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He continued, "Me and my wife are best friends, we will always be best friends. I will love her. She will probably be the only woman I'll ever love the way I loved her."

Jelly also clarified that "nobody cheated on nobody," adding that his ex "will be my best friend forever. Bunnie, I love you baby" while thanking her for her friendship.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo in Los Angeles in January 2026Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty

Shortly before Jelly Roll's comments, Bunnie, 46, opened up about the split in detail on her podcast and revealed their divorce would be settled in the next three weeks. She also said their breakup wouldn't impact their plans to expand their family.

"We're still having a baby together," Bunnie said.

On the same podcast episode, Bunnie said they were an "unconventional couple" who will continue to co-parent — and remain best friends.

"Like, this isn't what you guys think this is. Nobody cheated on the other person. It's literally just we served our purpose for each other," she said.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo at the 2026 Grammys in L.A. in FebruaryCredit: Kevin Mazur/Getty

Jelly and Bunnie married in 2016. They briefly separated in 2018 after he had an affair, then renewed their vows in 2023.

Bunnie opened up to PEOPLE about their relationship highs and lows earlier this year, while promoting the February release of her memoir Stripped Down.

"His soul is so golden and pure," Bunnie told PEOPLE at the time. "Granted, we were both assholes when we first got together, but we have evolved together.… [When we met] he was going down a path of drugs. I was coming out of a domestic-violence relationship. I had so much baggage, so much toxicity; he had never been in a real relationship. We had to learn together."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”