“WAS IT JUST A MISSING RING — OR A MESSAGE HE WANTED EVERYONE TO SEE?” When Jelly Roll took the stage at CMA Fest without his wedding ring, fans immediately noticed. Just weeks after reports of a divorce filing involving Bunnie Xo, the missing band sparked a wave of speculation online.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 04: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Jelly Roll performs during the 2026 CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jelly Roll in Nashville on June 4, 2026.Credit : Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

NEED TO KNOW

  • Jelly Roll filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo on May 18 after more than a decade together
  • The “Save Me” singer performed at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 6 and didn’t wear his wedding ring for the show
  • He hasn’t worn the wedding band publicly in quite some time

Jelly Roll performed a show without his wedding band shortly after filing for divorce from wife Bunnie Xo.

The country star, 41, filed for divorce in Williamson County, Tennessee on May 18, according to documents obtained and court records viewed by PEOPLE. About two weeks later, Jelly performed at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on June 6 and didn’t wear his ring for the show.

Though he used to wear his black tungsten ring often, the “Save Me” singer hasn’t worn the wedding band publicly in quite some time, including at a public appearance with Bunnie, 46, in February. It’s possible his recent 300-lb. weight loss caused the ring to no longer fit.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 04: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Jelly Roll performs onstage at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026 day one on June 04, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jelly Roll in Nashville on June 4, 2026.Terry Wyatt/WireImage

The couple began their relationship more than a decade ago after meeting at one of Jelly’s 2015 concerts at the Country Saloon in Las Vegas. They got engaged the following year and secretly tied the knot in a courthouse ceremony later that same night.

Jelly (real name Jason DeFord) and Bunnie (real name Alisa DeFord) renewed their vows at the same chapel in 2023. The “Need a Favor” musician is dad to daughter Bailee, 18, and son Noah, 9, from past relationships, and both stars have said that Bunnie enjoyed her role as stepmother.

The pair attended the 2026 Grammy Awards in February, where Jelly won Best Contemporary Country Album and grew emotional while speaking about Bunnie in his speech.

“I want to thank my beautiful wife,” Jelly said at the time. “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.”

The couple’s been open about facing highs and lows in their relationship. Bunnie revealed in her 2026 memoir Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic that Jelly had a 10-month affair in 2018.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo in Los Angeles on February 2026.John Shearer/Getty

Jelly admitted the infidelity was “one of the worst moments in my adulthood” during an October 2026 interview but exclaimed he was “proud of who we are today.”

In recent months, the couple has spoken about wanting to have a child together and enduring struggles with IVF. Bunnie wrote in Stripped Down that she and Jelly found a surrogate and hoped to welcome kids.

“I think we’re just ready for a piece of us,” she told PEOPLE in January. “It has not been easy, but I know that God has a plan and he’s going to make it work. I really do. I have no doubt in my mind.”

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