Jelly Roll Gives Update on ‘Hard’ In Vitro Fertilization Journey with Wife Bunny Xo at the ACM Awards

The country music artist is already a father to son Noah Buddy and daughter Bailee Ann from previous relationships

Jelly Roll (left) and Bunnie Xo.Credit : Jason Kempin/Getty

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo are still committed to expanding their family.

On Thursday, May 8, the country music artist, 40, spoke with Access Hollywood on the carpet at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards about everything from the historic night to his family life with his podcaster wife, 45. Jelly, whose real name is Jason DeFord, gave an update on where he and Bunnie are in their IVF journey.

“We’re right in the middle of the journey,” he told the outlet. “For all of our friends out there who have been supporting and praying for us that know the journey we are on, y’all know how hard it is, thanks for praying for us. We’re still trying.”

Both Bunnie, whose real name is Alyssa DeFord, and the “All My Life” singer have been vocal about their desire to expand their family. In June 2024, Jelly appeared on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast and revealed why he decided to lose over 60 pounds. The singer said he wants to live longer to see his two kids, Noah Buddy, 8, and Bailee Ann, 16, grow up and keep up with any new additions.

“My wife and I are talking about having a baby, and it really made me realize that at almost 40, I was like, it means I got to live to at least 60,” Jelly shared. “I got to see this kid into college.”

On Tuesday, March 4, the Dumb Blonde podcast host posted a TikTok video where she shared an update on her and her husband’s road to parenthood. The stepmom of two shared that she’s actively undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments.

“I’m literally going through IVF treatments right now — the hormones, the shots, all that,” she said. “I’m going through all of the emotions, the rollercoaster, [and] the worry, just so that I can have a little piece of my husband and me — just a little piece wrapped in skin — to just add to the other two beautiful children that we have together.”

Jelly Roll (left) and Bunnie Xo.Taylor Hill/WireImage

Bunnie also spoke with a psychic medium on a recent episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast and opened up about how she’s experienced several pregnancy losses in the past and now feels ready to become a parent. While she loves being a stepmom to Jelly’s two kids from previous relationships, she’s ready to have children of her own.

“I just feel like I’ve been healing so much trauma with my parents that I finally am ready to be a parent,” she said. “Like, I’ve helped raise Bailee since she was 7, and I think that also showed me that, hey, I’m not gonna f— up a kid’s life too badly.”

“But I feel like I’ve mastered… not mastered, but I feel like I can do this, you know?” she continued. “And I just want a little piece of J and I together.”