Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie Xo, have long been open about the struggles, heartbreak and healing that shaped their marriage. Now, after nearly a decade together and years of publicly sharing their journey toward restoration, the country music star has officially filed for divorce.

According to court records viewed by Fox News Digital, Jelly Roll — whose real name is Jason DeFord — filed for divorce in Williamson County, Tennessee, on May 18. The filing lists May 9 as the couple’s date of separation and cites irreconcilable differences.

The news comes as a shock to many fans who have followed the couple’s deeply personal story over the years. Just months ago, the pair appeared affectionate and united during the 2026 Grammy Awards in February, where they walked the red carpet together and celebrated Jelly Roll’s Grammy win for Best Contemporary Country Album.

During his acceptance speech that night, Jelly Roll even gave his wife a public shoutout.

The couple first met in 2015 before marrying during a spontaneous Las Vegas ceremony in August 2016. Over the years, Bunnie Xo became a stepmother to Jelly Roll’s children, Bailee and Noah, while the pair built a public image centered around honesty, redemption and perseverance through difficult circumstances.

But behind the scenes, both repeatedly admitted their relationship had been far from easy.

In her memoir, “Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic,” Bunnie opened up about the painful early years of their marriage, including infidelity, emotional wounds and unresolved trauma both brought into the relationship.

“When I found out about it, I was devastated,” Bunnie previously told Fox News Digital while reflecting on discovering Jelly Roll had allegedly reunited with an ex-fling during their marriage. “I thought he was different.”

Still, she acknowledged that their unconventional backgrounds complicated the relationship from the beginning.

“I was a working girl, and he was an ex-drug dealer — a gangster-turned-struggling artist,” Bunnie explained. “There’s a different set of rules on the street than there are in what I’d call traditional marriages.”

The pair also openly discussed the baggage they each brought into the marriage. Bunnie said she came from an abusive relationship and struggled with trust after witnessing infidelity growing up. Jelly Roll, meanwhile, battled his own painful past, including addiction, incarceration and feelings of unworthiness.

At one point, the couple nearly separated for good after an explosive marriage counseling session.

“We were just screaming at each other,” Bunnie recalled. “There was so much anger, so much hurt, so much pain from both ends.”

But instead of walking away permanently, the two recommitted themselves to growth, healing and breaking what Bunnie called “generational curses.”

“We just made that decision from then on to just be better humans,” she said.

In 2023, the couple renewed their vows at the same Las Vegas chapel where they originally married. At the time, Bunnie spoke passionately about choosing each other daily despite the hardships they faced.

“Marriage is not one-size-fits-all,” she said. “You do have to wake up and choose that person even on days that you don’t like them.”

Bunnie also described their relationship as judgment-free and deeply rooted in loyalty despite the struggles.

“We call it ‘getting into the foxhole,'” she explained. “When it’s time, we hunker down and get through life — together.”

Now, fans are mourning the apparent end of a relationship many saw as a testimony of redemption and perseverance through brokenness.

Neither Jelly Roll nor Bunnie Xo has publicly addressed the divorce filing beyond the court documents.

For many Christians watching from afar, the news serves as a reminder that even marriages built on growth, healing and second chances still require constant grace, humility and prayer. It also highlights the reality that public success does not always shield relationships from private pain.

As the couple navigates this deeply personal season, many supporters continue praying for wisdom, healing and peace for everyone involved — especially their family.