Bunnie XO Shares Heartfelt Message For Husband Jelly Roll Ahead Of His 2023 CMT Music Awards Debut

“I don’t think I’ll be able to contain the tears, 😭” Bunnie wrote.

By

Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

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Posted on April 1, 2023

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Bunnie XO (Bunnie DeFord), Jelly Roll; Photos Courtesy of Instagram

Jelly Roll is gearing up to deliver his first-ever awards show performance at the 2023 CMT Music Awards, and his wife Bunnie XO couldn’t be more proud of him.

On Thursday (Mar. 30), Bunnie took to social media to share a heartfelt message for her husband alongside an adorable video. The clip, which was soundtracked by the sped up version of Kali Uchis’ “Melting,” features Bunnie and Jelly Roll all smiles while leaving the Grand Ole Opry hand in hand.

“This weekend I get to see you perform at the CMT Awards & I don’t think I’ll be able to contain the tears. 😭” she captioned the clip on Instagram.

She went on to praise her husband’s work ethics and achievements.

“You’ve worked so hard to get here, never once compromising who you are as a man. Nothing is more beautiful than watching you become the star I always knew you were,” Bunnie added.

She concluded her heartfelt message by saying, “Let’s bring ‘em hell Daddy & let’s bring home some awards! 🏆🪄💫 “

Bunnie XO (Bunnie DeFord), Jelly Roll; Photos Courtesy of Instagram
Bunnie XO (Bunnie DeFord), Jelly Roll; Photos Courtesy of Instagram

Bunnie XO, whose real name is Bunnie DeFord, will be by Jelly Roll’s side as he arrives to the 2023 CMT Music Awards red carpet.

While chatting with Cody Alan during an interview on the CMT Hot 20 Countdown, Jelly Roll said the “sweetest things” about his wife.

“I’m going to be fat and fresh. My wife’s coming with me, I’m going to be all fluffy and sassy and she’s going to be just beautiful,” Jelly Roll told Alan. “We’re going to look good. As long as I got her with me, I can’t look bad. It doesn’t matter what I wear, I’m bringing the star of the show with me.”

The country rock hitmaker also recalled making a Tweet last year putting it out there that one day he will perform on the CMT Music Awards.

“So, last year I was sitting on the couch right and we’re watching the CMT Awards because dude we’ve been watching the CMT Awards since I was a kid, you know? I was sitting there and I was like, ‘Man, I’m gonna perform on this thing next year dude.’ You know how crazy that sounded when I told my wife that and I was just high enough to tweet it. I didn’t even remember tweeting it that’s the best part until it came back up.”

Jelly Roll, 38, and Bunnie, 43, first met at one of the Nashville native’s concerts on Fremont Street in Las Vegas at The Country Saloon in 2015. Nearly a year later, the couple tied the knot on August 31, 2016.

In 2022, the beloved couple made their red carpet debut at the 56th Annual CMA Awards.

Jelly Roll, a first-time nominee, is also among the most-nominated artists at the 2023 awards show. The genre-bending hitmaker is currently nominated for three awards, including Male Video Of The Year (“Son Of A Sinner”), Breakthrough Male Video Of The Year (“Son Of A Sinner”) and CMT Digital-First Performance Of The Year (“Son Of A Sinner” from CMT All Access).

Jelly Roll and wife Bunnie DeFord (Bunnie XO); Photo Courtesy of Instagram
Jelly Roll and wife Bunnie DeFord (Bunnie XO); Photo Courtesy of Instagram

2023 CMT Music Awards

In addition to Jelly Roll, the CMT Music Awards will also feature performances from Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown + Katelyn Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morissette, Madeline Edwards, Morgan Wade, The Black Crowes & Darius Rucker, Tyler Hubbard, Wynonna Judd & Ashley McBryde, Avery Anna, Chapel Hart, Jackson Dean, Lily Rose, Megan Moroney, Nate Smith and more.

Hosted by Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, the show airs LIVE from Austin, Texas’ Moody Center on Sunday, April 2, 2023 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.*

Additionally, CMT will also air CMT MUSIC AWARDS EXTENDED CUT with an added 30 minutes of new performances and extra bonus content on Thursday, April 6th (8:00-11:30 PM, ET/PT), in addition to all new programming as part of CMT MUSIC AWARDS WEEK. Additional details are to be announced at a later date.

Tickets to attend the show in person at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas are available to purchase now HERE.

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Written by

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

See more posts from Andrew Wendowski

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