Bunnie Xo Opens Up About ‘Betrayal Trauma’ From Jelly Roll’s Past Affair After Their Divorce

Bunnie Xo is speaking candidly about the emotional damage she experienced after learning about Jelly Roll’s infidelity during their marriage, explaining that the deception surrounding the affair ultimately hurt her more than the cheating itself.

The podcast host reflected on that difficult period while speaking with Denise Richards on an August episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast. The conversation comes shortly after Bunnie and Jelly Roll finalized their divorce, ending a marriage that lasted nearly a decade and survived several highly publicized challenges.

Bunnie Says the Lies Were the Most Painful Part

During her conversation with Richards, Bunnie explained that discovering infidelity can create an emotional reaction that extends far beyond the affair itself.

For her, the realization that other people potentially knew what was happening while she remained unaware was especially painful.

Bunnie described the experience as “betrayal trauma,” explaining that the dishonesty surrounding an affair can fundamentally alter someone’s ability to trust.

She also said the experience created a feeling of emotional “whiplash,” because the person she trusted most had been keeping something significant from her.

Rather than focusing exclusively on the physical act of cheating, Bunnie’s comments emphasized how secrecy can change the way someone views both their relationship and their own judgment.

Jelly Roll Previously Admitted He Had an Affair

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, publicly acknowledged his past infidelity in October 2025.

During an appearance on the Human School podcast, the country star described cheating on Bunnie as one of the worst moments of his adult life.

He said the experience forced him to confront his own behavior because he knew he loved Bunnie despite making a decision that threatened their relationship.

The affair occurred years before their eventual divorce.

Jelly Roll said he and Bunnie worked extensively to repair their relationship afterward, rather than immediately ending their marriage.

Their ability to remain together after the betrayal became another complicated chapter in a relationship that both had frequently described publicly as unconventional.

They Rebuilt Their Marriage After the Affair

Bunnie and Jelly Roll first married in Las Vegas in August 2016.

Despite difficult periods during their marriage, the couple stayed together and eventually returned to Las Vegas in 2023 to renew their wedding vows.

For years, Bunnie was one of Jelly Roll’s most visible supporters as his music career transformed him from an independent artist into one of country’s biggest crossover stars.

Their relationship also became closely connected to his public story. Bunnie regularly supported him at award shows, concerts and major career milestones.

But surviving the affair didn’t necessarily erase the emotional consequences.

Bunnie’s latest comments suggest that rebuilding trust after infidelity was a complicated process, even though the couple managed to remain together for years afterward.

Their Marriage Ultimately Ended in 2026

After nearly 10 years of marriage, Jelly Roll filed for divorce in Tennessee on May 18, 2026.

Court documents listed May 9 as the couple’s separation date and cited irreconcilable differences.

When news of the divorce became public, both attempted to shut down speculation that a new affair had caused their breakup.

Jelly Roll publicly said that “nobody cheated on nobody” in connection with their 2026 separation and described Bunnie as his best friend.

Bunnie similarly indicated that their relationship remained deeply important despite their decision to end the marriage.

The divorce was finalized in July. Reports indicated that the former couple reached an agreement covering property and other shared assets, while the precise financial details remained confidential.

Bunnie Is Still Processing the Emotional Fallout

Bunnie’s recent conversation wasn’t simply about revisiting an old scandal.

It offered a glimpse into how betrayal can continue affecting someone long after a couple has attempted reconciliation.

She explained that the experience changed her understanding of trust and left emotional consequences that didn’t immediately disappear when she and Jelly Roll decided to repair their marriage.

Following the divorce, Bunnie has also spoken openly about her future and indicated that another wedding isn’t something she currently envisions.

She told Richards she doesn’t believe she will marry again, though her comments came during an emotional period shortly after the end of a decade-long marriage.

For now, both appear focused on navigating life separately.

Jelly Roll Plans to Step Away From Performing

Jelly Roll is also preparing for a major change following the divorce.

During a July 28 performance in Salt Lake City, the Grammy-winning singer told fans that he planned to take significant time away from touring.

After years of relentless performing, Jelly Roll said he expected to step back for approximately one or two years so he could “take some time off and heal.”

His final scheduled performance followed shortly afterward in Colorado Springs.

The announcement came after an extraordinary stretch in Jelly Roll’s career that included hundreds of performances and his transformation into a major country star.

For both Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo, 2026 therefore represents the closing of a significant chapter.

Although their marriage has ended, their comments suggest neither is attempting to erase the decade they spent together. Bunnie’s latest reflections instead show that reconciliation can coexist with lasting emotional scars and that forgiving a betrayal doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting what it changed.

Featured Image: instagram.com/jellyroll615