Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO 'Still Love Each Other,' but a Source Reveals What Was Happening in Their Marriage Before Their Divorce

A source close to Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO says the pair still love each other, but private struggles had been building long before their divorce filing. New social media moves have only deepened the mystery surrounding their split.

For years, they looked like one of country music's most unshakable couples. Even after news of their divorce surfaced, fans were left wondering what could have happened behind closed doors.

Now, a person close to the pair is shedding light on what may have quietly changed between Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO long before their marriage came to an end.

Behind the Smiles, Something Was Changing

The split between Jelly, whose real name is Jason DeFord, and Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, stunned many fans when it emerged that the singer had filed for divorce on May 18 after nearly a decade of marriage, citing 'irreconcilable differences' and listing May 9 as the date of separation.

Throughout the years, the couple publicly presented themselves as partners who had weathered life's storms together. They openly discussed overcoming difficult periods, including Jelly's 2018 affair, fertility struggles, and their hopes of expanding their family through IVF.

But according to a source who spoke to PEOPLE, the story unfolding privately was far more complicated.

'A Complicated Dynamic' That Never Fully Disappeared

The insider said the pair had "always had a complicated dynamic" dating back to the earliest days of their relationship. When they first crossed paths, Jelly was struggling financially while Bunnie earned a living as a sex worker. The two initially developed a platonic friendship before beginning a romantic relationship in 2016.

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

That shared history reportedly remained a defining part of their bond, even as Jelly's career exploded and his personal priorities evolved.

The Private Issue That Reportedly Pulled Them Apart

According to the insider, Jelly had "changed a lot" in recent years. "He's very focused on his future, his health, and being around for a long time," the source explained.

The person added that there was no dramatic moment that caused the marriage to collapse. "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 comments paint a different picture from the one many fans had grown accustomed to seeing online, suggesting that despite their affection for one another, their visions for the years ahead may have gradually drifted apart.

Words That Now Carry Extra Weight

The revelation is especially striking given how warmly the pair continued speaking about one another in public. While accepting a Grammy Award in February, Jelly became emotional while thanking Bunnie.

"I want to thank my beautiful wife. I would have never changed my life without you," he said. "I would have ended up dead or in jail. I would have killed myself if it wasn't for you and Jesus. I thank you for that."

Just weeks earlier, Bunnie had described her husband as "the coolest dude ever" and reflected on how much they had grown together. "Granted, we were both [expletive] when we first got together, but we have evolved together and if one of us is sinking, the other one pulls the other one up and we just keep evolving," she said.

She also admitted that learning to accept stability had been challenging after growing up surrounded by chaos. "And he's just been such a steady, just beacon of light in my life. And I just love that man. He's just the best."

Fans Notice a New Move on Social Media

As speculation surrounding the breakup intensified, another development quickly caught fans' attention. According to TMZ, Jelly removed Bunnie XO from his Instagram bio on Tuesday night, a day after news of the divorce filing became public.

The move appeared to erase one of the last visible references to Bunnie from his profile and fueled further discussion about the status of their relationship. Bunnie, meanwhile, seemed to break her silence online by posting a video of herself spending time with friends on her Instagram Story.

The clip showed the group laughing and raising hot dogs together in a playful mock toast. The video made no mention of Jelly, the divorce filing, or the intense public interest surrounding their separation.

For now, neither Jelly nor Bunnie has publicly addressed the divorce. But if the source's account is accurate, the end of their marriage may have been less about a sudden breakup and more about two people who still cared deeply for each other, yet quietly realized they were heading toward very different futures.