Jelly Roll Says He Is Taking a Break for a ‘Year or Two’ After Bunnie Xo Divorce

The Grammy-nominated singer surprised fans mid-concert with news of an extended hiatus, just weeks after his marriage to Bunnie Xo officially ended. His candid remarks onstage offered a rare glimpse into the toll the past year has taken on him.

Jelly Roll is taking a step back from the spotlight. During a recent concert in Salt Lake City, the "Save Me" artist told fans he intends to pause his touring schedule once his current run wraps up.

Jelly Roll performs during the Festival d'été de Québec on July 19, 2026 in Quebec City, Quebec. | Source: Getty Images

The announcement landed just weeks after he finalized his divorce from ex-wife Bunnie Xo.

"This has truly been a lifetime experience for me," the country star told the crowd. "And in a couple of nights, I go to Colorado Springs and do my last show for a year or two. I'm fixing to take some time off and heal."

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, went on to perform his final show at Weidner Field on July 30. He closed out the run with a simple message of gratitude. "Thank you for the opportunity."

Jelly Roll performs at Summerfest 2026 at Henry Maier Festival Park on July 4, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Source: Getty Images

According to court documents obtained by People, Jelly filed for divorce from Bunnie on May 18. The paperwork, filed in Tennessee's Williamson County, cited May 9 as the date of separation and listed irreconcilable differences as the grounds for the split.

The news didn't surface publicly until mid-June. At the time, a source close to the situation said the pair had always shared a "complicated dynamic," one shaped by where they each stood in life when they first crossed paths.

Jelly and Bunnie met while he was struggling financially and she was working as a sex worker. Their bond began as a friendship before evolving into a romance in 2016, and the two ultimately married in a courthouse ceremony the very night they got engaged.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on April 1 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

"When they first got together, they were both in a very different place in their lives," the insider said. "There was a lot of chaos, ups and downs, and they built a life together through all of that."

Since then, the source noted, Jelly — who has seen his career skyrocket in recent years and has lost close to 300 pounds — has evolved considerably. "He's very focused on his future, his health and being around for a long time," the insider added.

Jelly Roll performs during the 2026 CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on June 4, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

The source was also careful to emphasize that the marriage didn't collapse all at once.

"There wasn't a moment where everything fell apart. They still love each other but were no longer on the same page about certain things, including what they wanted their future to look like. People saw the public side of things, but there was a lot more going on privately," the insider said.

Not long after, Bunnie addressed the split herself on a now-deleted episode of her podcast "Dumb Blonde." While she admitted the divorce caught her off guard, she insisted the separation remained friendly, a point she has continued to stand by.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

"We have been the most unconventional couple that you guys have ever encountered," she said. "We're going to co-parent together. J is my best friend. 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."

Bunnie Xo during an episode of her "Dumb Blonde" podcast, published June 18, 2026. | Source: YouTube/Dumb Blonde Podcast

Looking ahead, Bunnie made clear she's ready to embrace a new chapter with her ex, built on the foundation they've already laid. "The most important part here is that everybody's so hung up on our past and what we built together, which I mean, we did a [expletive] great job," she said.

"But our future is so much more important. And being happy and healthy and best friends through this is probably the biggest gift that we could have given each other."