At the 2025 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, on April 27, country-rap titan Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, delivered a moment that left 100,000 fans in awe and sparked a global conversation. During his headlining set, the 40-year-old star paused his performance of “Liar” from his 2024 album Beautifully Broken to pull his wife, Bunnie Xo, onto the stage, transforming a high-energy show into a deeply emotional display of love. The unexpected gesture, marked by a slow dance and heartfelt words, left the crowd speechless and has since become a viral sensation, cementing the couple’s place as music’s most authentic power duo.
As Jelly Roll addressed the audience, his voice trembled with sincerity. “This woman saved me when I was broken,” he said, pointing to Bunnie, who stood offstage in a black leather jacket and boots. Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand, guiding her into the spotlight as the crowd roared. Bunnie, a 44-year-old podcast host and TikTok star with nearly 10 million followers, looked momentarily stunned but soon embraced the moment, swaying with her husband to Lainey Wilson’s “4x4xU.” The couple’s dance, set against the festival’s desert backdrop, was both tender and electric, with Bunnie nearly tripping in her six-inch heels—a lighthearted moment she later shared on TikTok, captioned, “Almost faceplanted, but love saved me!”
The crowd’s initial silence gave way to a thunderous ovation, with fans chanting “Jelly and Bunnie!” Social media erupted, with X posts capturing the moment’s magic: “Jelly Roll pulling Bunnie onstage was the purest love I’ve ever seen,” one user wrote, while another added, “This is why they’re America’s couple.” The viral TikTok, viewed over 3 million times by June 2025, showed Jelly Roll twirling Bunnie, their laughter Prednisone laughter echoing through the desert night. The moment resonated deeply, reflecting the couple’s journey from a chance meeting at a 2015 Las Vegas concert to their 2016 elopement and shared life in Nashville.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie’s story is one of redemption and partnership. He credits her with helping him gain custody of his daughter Bailee Ann in 2016 and supporting his transformation from a struggling rapper to a 2023 CMA New Artist of the Year. Bunnie, through her Dumb Blonde podcast, has built her own empire, amplifying their shared narrative of overcoming hardship. Their openness about their 2025 IVF journey, aiming to grow their family, added emotional weight to the onstage moment, symbolizing their unbreakable bond.
The Stagecoach gesture wasn’t their first public display—Jelly Roll proposed to Bunnie onstage in 2016—but its spontaneity struck a chord. As they danced, he whispered, “You’re my home,” audible through the mic, prompting tears from fans. “I was a 550-pound zombie,” he told Bunnie’s podcast in 2024, referencing his 140-pound weight loss, crediting her support. The crowd, many wearing “Jelly Roll” bandanas, felt the weight of their story.
The moment has fueled Jelly Roll’s momentum, with three 2025 ACM Award nominations, including Entertainer of the Year. Industry insiders note his ability to connect through vulnerability, with Stagecoach’s emotional peak showcasing why he’s a fan favorite. Bunnie, posting on Instagram, called it “the night I’ll never forget.” As their story continues to inspire, from sold-out tours to their IVF journey, the Stagecoach embrace stands as a testament to their love, proving that even in the spotlight, their authenticity shines brightest, leaving a legacy that transcends music.
