Despite public statements by Bunnie XO indicating a continued plan to have a child with ex-husband Jelly Roll, the musician's silence on the matter has led to speculation about the true status of their post-divorce intentions.
Bunnie XO stated in June on her podcast "Dumb Blonde" that she and Jelly Roll were still planning to have a baby together via surrogate, adding that the musician wanted the same thing. This followed a statement from Jelly Roll in June, after he filed for divorce, in which he described Bunnie XO as his "best friend" and vowed to love her forever. He clarified that their separation was not due to infidelity but did not address plans for a child.
Sources close to Jelly Roll suggest that while he cares deeply for Bunnie XO and wants to protect her feelings, this does not equate to a shared desire to have a child. "Wanting to protect Bunnie's feelings is not necessarily the same thing as wanting to have a child with your ex-wife," a music industry insider who has worked with Jelly Roll told Rob Shuter.
Bunnie XO has been open about her desire to become a mother. She spent nearly a decade caring for Jelly Roll's two biological children, Bailee and Noah, during their relationship. However, her insistence that they would proceed with IVF treatments, which they began during their marriage, post-divorce has apparently been interpreted as a joint declaration by some.
"If Jelly wanted the world to know that he was still planning to have a child with Bunnie after the divorce, he could say it. He hasn't," a music source familiar with Jelly Roll and his team stated. This lack of public confirmation from Jelly Roll has led some to believe his decision may not be final.
"Wanting something desperately doesn't make it a shared decision," a mutual friend of the couple commented. "I understand why she is holding onto the plan. But Jelly gets a vote."
Jelly Roll filed for divorce in May, and the couple finalized their separation on July 17. Since then, Jelly Roll has reportedly begun dating again and announced he is taking an extended break from touring for emotional healing. Bunnie XO has also been building a new life, acquiring a new home and car, and was seen publicly with television star Dylan Wolf over the July 4 weekend.
Divorce agreements released in mid-July reportedly addressed potential legal complications of having children together. The couple was advised that their attorneys were not specialists in genetic and reproductive rights and were recommended to seek additional expert counsel, which they reportedly did not do.
"A baby isn't a souvenir from a marriage," a longtime friend of the couple said. "Parenthood is permanent."