Published 15:19 17 Jun 2026 GMT
The reason behind Jelly Roll's stage name has been revealed after the singer quietly filed for divorce from his wife of 10 years, Bunnie Xo.
As previously reported, Jelly Roll, real name Jason DeFord, filed for divorce in Williamson County, Tennessee, on May 18.
He and Bunnie had started dating in 2015 after meeting at one of Jelly Roll's Las Vegas shows, with the pair tying the knot a year later, after he proposed to Bunnie on stage.
However, 10 years after their 2016 wedding, the couple have called time on their marriage, though neither has yet released a statement publicly.
With the couple making the headlines again this week, many people have been left wondering what Jelly Roll's stage name actually derived from.
Jelly Roll previously revealed that the name originally derived from his mother, but it was an encounter with a one-armed classmate that really sealed the deal.
The singer was born on December 4, 1984, and grew up in Antioch, near Nashville, Tennessee, and his mother originally coined the nickname.
He explained on The Bobby Bones Show: "My mother named me that whenever I was a little chubby kid.
"Been fat my whole life. I spent the next 30 years trying to grow into the name. I think I've done it."
The name truly stuck when Jelly Roll encountered a high school classmate who went by the name of One-Arm Clay.
He explained: "One-Arm Clay was like, 'We should call you Jelly Roll, I'm One-Arm Clay and you'll be Jelly Roll.'
"I was like, 'My mama calls me Jelly Roll.' Then once the high school starts calling you something, that's the kit and caboodle."
While some might find a name derived of their physical characteristics a little offensive, the 'Son of a Sinner' star has leaned in to the moniker, despite his recent significant weight loss.
Revealing what he likes to be called, the singer explained on the Taste of Country Nights podcast: "I think people call me Jelly. If you know me, or feel like you know me, you call me Jelly.
"I respond to Jelly better than Jelly Roll. If you say Jelly Roll, I kinda go, 'Aww [expletive].' But if somebody goes, 'Hey Jelly!', I think they know me. Delete the Roll, man."
This week, it was revealed that Jelly Roll, 41, had filed for divorce from his wife, Bunnie, 46, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason.
According to court documents, Jelly Roll noted that he and Bunnie plan to file an agreement to divide their assets and debts.
Rumors that the couple were parting ways began in June after Jelly Roll was seen without his wedding ring at the 2026 CMA Fest in Nashville.
A moving truck was also seen outside the home the couple shared in Tennessee, though it is not known which partner was the one moving their belongings out at the time.
Earlier in the year, the couple had appeared loved up at the Grammy awards, where they were seen sharing kisses.
Jelly Roll also shared a heartfelt tribute to Bunnie in his speech after winning Best Contemporary Country Album.
As part of his acceptance speech, he said: "I want to thank my beautiful wife,
"I would have never changed my life without you. 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."
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