Country music star Jelly Roll has publicly confessed that cheating on his wife Bunnie Xo was one of the worst moments of his adult life, revealing the affair during an episode of the Human School podcast. The couple, married since 2016, have overcome this challenge and are now in a stronger place than ever before.
In the podcast interview released on October 21, Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, stated, “One of the worst moments of my adulthood was when I had an affair on my wife.” He explained that the incident made him realize he couldn’t get things right despite being in love, and it deeply affected him. This confession marks a rare public discussion of the personal turmoil, as he typically keeps such matters private. The affair occurred during a period of personal struggle, highlighting the complexities of their relationship journey.
The infidelity took place around 2018, a time that Bunnie Xo, born Alyssa DeFord, previously alluded to in a TikTok post last year. She revealed they briefly broke up, with her moving back to Vegas before reconciling, and described how their “castle in the sand had to crumble so we could rebuild on solid ground.” This temporary separation served as a pivotal moment, forcing both to reevaluate their commitment and laying the groundwork for their current stability.
Jelly Roll emphasized that he invested significant effort into repairing the damage, stating he and Bunnie are now “stronger than we could have ever been.” He expressed pride in their renewed bond, though he wishes the affair had never occurred. The singer acknowledged that the experience taught him invaluable lessons about loyalty, trust, and the importance of working through difficulties in a marriage.
Reflecting on the factors that led to his infidelity, Jelly Roll admitted he was influenced by a negative social circle at the time. He said, “I was hanging around a bunch of people that were cheating on their wives,” and linked this environment to his past struggles with substance abuse, including cocaine use. This toxic atmosphere contributed to his poor decisions, but he has since severed ties with those individuals as part of his personal transformation.
Now, Jelly Roll consciously surrounds himself with people who inspire positive change, stating he wants to “only be around people I want to be like.” This shift in mindset is integral to his broader personal growth, which includes a notable weight loss journey and a deepened focus on his family and music career. His evolution reflects a commitment to self-improvement and accountability.
The couple recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary in September, with Bunnie sharing photos on Instagram from a trip to Germany, captioned, “Life is ours, we live it our way.” They also renewed their vows in 2023 at the same Las Vegas chapel where they originally married, symbolizing their reinforced commitment and the healing of past wounds. These milestones underscore their resilience and shared dedication.
Looking ahead, Jelly Roll’s candidness about his past mistakes may resonate with fans, as he continues to prioritize family and career. In a previous interview with PEOPLE, he described Bunnie as someone who shows up “when the chips are down,” highlighting the foundation of their relationship. This confession adds to his narrative of redemption and personal evolution, demonstrating how adversity can lead to growth and stronger connections in the public eye.