In a moment that has sent waves of joy rippling through the country music world and beyond, Jelly Roll—real name Jason Bradley DeFord—has officially confirmed the news fans have been whispering about for months: he and his wife, Bunnie XO (Alyssa DeFord), are expecting their third child, a healthy baby boy. The 40-year-old rapper-turned-country sensation shared the emotional announcement on social media late last night, August 9, 2025, with a heartfelt video that captured the couple’s raw excitement and gratitude. “We’ve waited for this moment for years,” Jelly Roll said, his voice thick with emotion as he held Bunnie close, tears glistening in his eyes. “God has blessed us with another little miracle—a baby boy. After nearly 20 years together, our family is growing, and we couldn’t be happier.”

The revelation comes after weeks of speculation, fueled by Bunnie’s subtle social media hints and the couple’s increasingly private lifestyle. To celebrate this long-awaited addition, Jelly Roll spared no expense, hosting a lavish $500,000 gender reveal party at their Nashville estate on August 8, 2025. The extravagant event, attended by close friends, family, and a slew of country music stars, featured fireworks in blue, a custom cake shaped like a baby cowboy boot, and performances by surprise guests like Luke Bryan and Kane Brown. Fans worldwide have flooded the couple’s accounts with congratulations, turning the announcement into a viral sensation with over 10 million views in hours. “This is the happiness they deserve after everything they’ve been through,” one fan commented. “Jelly and Bunnie are #FamilyGoals!”

This joyful news marks a new chapter for the couple, who have been together for nearly two decades, weathering storms of personal struggles, career highs and lows, and the joys of parenthood. Jelly Roll and Bunnie already share two children—daughter Bailee Ann DeFord, 17, from Jelly Roll’s previous relationship, and their son Noah Buddy DeFord, 7, born in 2018. The arrival of their third child, expected in early 2026, symbolizes not just growth but healing for a family that has openly shared their battles with addiction, loss, and redemption. As Jelly Roll put it in his announcement, “This little boy is our miracle, a reminder that after the rain comes the rainbow. We’re ready to love him with everything we’ve got.”

The path to this moment hasn’t been easy for Jelly Roll and Bunnie. Their love story began in 2006 when Bunnie, then a Las Vegas exotic dancer and model, met Jelly Roll at one of his early rap shows in Sin City. At the time, Jelly Roll was a struggling hip-hop artist from Antioch, Tennessee, known for his raw lyrics about street life, incarceration, and survival. Born December 4, 1984, as Jason DeFord, Jelly Roll grew up in a rough neighborhood, facing poverty and legal troubles from a young age. He spent time in juvenile detention and prison for drug-related offenses, experiences that fueled his music but also nearly derailed his life.

Bunnie, born Alyssa Bonnette on January 22, 1980, in Houston, Texas, had her own hardships, including an abusive childhood and a career in the adult entertainment industry that she later left behind. Their connection was instant—a shared understanding of hardship and a mutual desire for something better. “She saw past the tattoos and the tough guy act,” Jelly Roll recalled in a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone. “Bunnie believed in me when no one else did.” They eloped in 2016 in Las Vegas, a spontaneous ceremony that Bunnie described as “the best decision of my life.” The couple renewed their vows in 2023 in a lavish ceremony, celebrating their enduring bond.

Parenthood has been central to their story. Bailee, from Jelly Roll’s relationship with Felicia Beckwith, came into their lives early, with Bunnie stepping up as a stepmother. “Bailee is my bonus daughter,” Bunnie often says on her podcast, Dumb Blonde. Noah’s birth in 2018 was a turning point, arriving after Jelly Roll’s weight loss journey (he shed over 200 pounds) and his shift from rap to country music. The family has been open about their blended dynamic, with Bunnie adopting Bailee legally in 2022. “We’re not perfect, but we’re real,” Jelly Roll said in a 2024 People magazine cover story. “Family is everything to us.”

Jelly Roll’s career transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting as an underground rapper with mixtapes like The Plain Shmuck Rapper (2003), he gained traction in the Southern hip-hop scene. But it was his pivot to country in 2020 with songs like “Save Me” that catapulted him to stardom. His debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel (2023), topped the Billboard charts, blending genres with raw honesty about addiction, faith, and redemption. Hits like “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor” earned him three CMT Awards and a Grammy nomination. His 2024 album, Beautifully Broken, is poised for similar success, with tours selling out arenas.

Bunnie has been his rock, building her own brand as a podcaster and influencer. Her Dumb Blonde podcast, launched in 2019, features candid interviews with celebrities and everyday people, amassing millions of listeners. She’s also ventured into music, releasing singles like “Dance with Ghosts” in 2024, and advocates for mental health and body positivity. Together, they’ve built a net worth estimated at $50 million, investing in real estate, including their Nashville mansion and a Texas ranch.

The gender reveal party was a testament to their larger-than-life style. Held at their 10,000-square-foot Nashville estate, the $500,000 event spared no expense. Guests arrived via luxury shuttles to a venue transformed into a “Baby Boy Wonderland,” with blue balloon arches, a custom ice sculpture of a stork carrying a guitar (nodding to Jelly Roll’s music), and a dessert bar featuring 500 cupcakes from Sprinkles. The highlight was a drone show spelling out “It’s a Boy!” in the night sky, followed by fireworks synced to Jelly Roll’s hits. Celebrities like Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, and Machine Gun Kelly attended, with Aldean toasting, “To the newest little outlaw—may he be as wild as his dad!”

The party included family-focused activities: a photo booth with props like tiny cowboy hats for River and Remy, and a “advice for baby” station where guests left notes. Bunnie, glowing in a blue maternity gown by Dolce & Gabbana, shared a tearful speech: “After all we’ve been through, this baby is our rainbow.” Jelly Roll, in a custom blue suit, performed an acoustic version of “Save Me,” dedicating it to their unborn son. The event’s cost—covering pyrotechnics ($100,000), catering by Gordon Ramsay ($150,000), and entertainment ($250,000)—reflects Jelly Roll’s philosophy: “When life gives you blessings, celebrate big.”

Fans reacted with overwhelming joy. The announcement video, posted on Instagram, garnered 20 million views, with comments like “So happy for y’all—baby boy is lucky to have you!” and “After all the struggles, this is beautiful.” The couple’s openness about fertility challenges—Bunnie has spoken of miscarriages and IVF—resonates, inspiring others. “Sharing our journey helps people feel less alone,” Bunnie said.

This pregnancy, confirmed in April 2025, has been a “miracle” after years of trying. Bunnie, who froze her eggs in 2022, underwent IVF, with the couple announcing via a gender reveal on their podcast. “It’s a boy!” Jelly Roll shouted, popping a confetti cannon. The baby, due in February 2026, will join a family already rich in love.

Jelly Roll’s music often reflects his life—songs like “Promise” (2024) speak of family commitment. Bunnie’s podcast episodes on motherhood have gained traction, with guests like Kelsea Ballerini sharing parenting tips.

As they prepare for baby number three, the couple balances fame with family. Jelly Roll’s tour schedule is adjusted for paternity leave, while Bunnie plans a maternity photoshoot. “We’re ready for the chaos,” Jelly Roll laughed.

This news caps a year of triumphs for Jelly Roll, including a CMT Artist of the Year award and a sold-out arena tour. For Bunnie, it’s a milestone in her advocacy work, partnering with March of Dimes for maternal health.

In a world of fleeting fame, Jelly Roll and Bunnie’s story is one of endurance. Their third child—a healthy baby boy—is a testament to love’s power. As Jelly Roll said, “We’ve waited for this moment for years.” The wait is over, and the celebration has just begun.