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Jelly Roll | Source: Getty Images
Jelly Roll | Source: Getty Images

Jelly Roll Kids — Meet the Country Star's Children and Learn About His Role as a Dad

Andrii Tykhyi
Sep 08, 2025 - 09:05 A.M.

While Jelly Roll often opens up in his music, he keeps most of his personal life out of the spotlight — including his children. However, in 2023, his wife gave fans a closer look at the world of Jelly Roll kids.

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Jelly may be known for his chart-topping country hits and raw lyrics, but off stage, he takes on a very different role: that of a devoted father. The singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, is a proud dad to two children — daughter Bailee Ann and son Noah Buddy.

He has spoken openly about how fatherhood, particularly the birth of his daughter in 2008, became a turning point in his life. Since then, being a present and supportive parent has remained one of his top priorities. Here is everything we know about Jelly Roll's kids and his journey as a father.

Jelly Roll performs onstage at Country Thunder Wisconsin on July 19, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. | Source: Getty Images

Jelly Roll performs onstage at Country Thunder Wisconsin on July 19, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. | Source: Getty Images

Jelly Roll Kids: His Journey as a Father to Daughter Bailee Ann

Jelly's journey into fatherhood began under difficult circumstances. His daughter, Bailee Ann, was born in 2008 — while he was still serving time behind bars for drug-related charges. That moment, however, would prove to be life-changing.

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"I could no longer be selfish. There was something that was solely relying on me," Jelly said during an interview with 105.7 The Point. He added that becoming a father gave him purpose and pushed him to take responsibility for his future, a commitment he still holds today.

In 2016, Jelly married Bunnie XO, and the couple were granted primary custody of Bailee following her mother's struggles with addiction. Since then, Bailee has lived with her father and stepmother, forming a close-knit family unit. Their household expanded that same year when Jelly’s son, Noah Buddy, from a previous relationship, joined the family.

Bailee has not shied away from sharing parts of her own story. On an episode of Bunnie XO’s "Dumb Blonde" podcast, she opened up about the challenges of her early childhood and her ongoing efforts to rebuild her relationship with her biological mother, who is in recovery.

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Much like her father, Bailee has turned to music as an outlet. She wrote "Tears Could Talk" at just 10 years old—a song that was featured on Jelly's 2020 album "A Beautiful Disaster." She also appears in the song’s music video, showcasing the deeply personal connection between their art and family life.

In April 2025, the proud dad experienced another emotional milestone: sending Bailee off to her first prom. Bunnie XO shared a TikTok video capturing the special moment, showing Bailee in a yellow gown, walking out the door with her date. "We did it. We did it guys. We made prom happen," Bunnie said, reflecting the joy and pride felt across their blended family.

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Jelly Roll's Son Noah Buddy DeFord: A Rare Glimpse Into the Singer's Private Family Life

Jelly Roll has built a career on raw honesty and vulnerability in his music, but when it comes to his family — especially his youngest child—he tends to keep things private. Jelly's son, Noah Buddy DeFord, was born on August 23, 2016.

Outside of an initial birth announcement on Facebook, the singer has rarely spoken about Noah in public interviews or media appearances.

That changed briefly in 2023, when Noah made a rare appearance in a TikTok video posted by his stepmother, Bunnie XO. The clip, shared ahead of his seventh birthday, introduced fans to the cheerful and shy youngster. "My name is Noah and my favorite color is red," he says with a smile to the camera.

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In the video, Noah also shared that he enjoys playing soccer and collecting Pokémon cards. He mentioned wanting both a dog and a cat as pets — and playfully admitted he thinks his big sister is cooler than his famous dad.

While many fans were surprised to see Jelly Roll’s son on social media, Bunnie XO clarified in the comments that Noah’s biological mother had given her full approval to post the video. The moment offered a rare, lighthearted peek into the private world of Jelly Roll's family — one he largely keeps out of the spotlight.

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