Jelly Roll is everywhere these days. If you haven’t seen his face on a billboard or heard his gravelly voice booming from a country radio station, you’ve probably seen a viral clip of him giving a tear-jerking speech at an awards show. But for all the fame and the platinum records, the man born Jason DeFord is famously a family man first.
People are constantly asking: How many kids does Jelly Roll have? It's a simple question with a layered answer. Honestly, if you just look at his Instagram, you might think he only has one child because his daughter is such a fixture in his public life. But the truth is, Jelly Roll is a father to two children, and as of early 2026, that number might be on the verge of changing.
The Two Kids We Already Know and Love
Right now, Jelly Roll has two biological children from previous relationships. He doesn't have any biological children with his wife, Bunnie XO—at least not yet.
The family dynamic is a bit of a "village" situation. It’s not your standard nuclear family setup, but it works for them. You’ve got Bailee Ann, who is basically Jelly’s mini-me, and then there’s Noah, who stays a bit more behind the scenes.
Bailee Ann DeFord: The Life-Changer
Bailee Ann is the oldest. She was born on May 22, 2008. If you’ve followed Jelly Roll’s "rags-to-riches" or "prison-to-palace" story, you know Bailee is the protagonist of that narrative.
Jelly was actually sitting in a jail cell when he got the news she was born. A guard literally knocked on his door and told him, "You had a kid today." He’s been very open about how that was his "road to Damascus" moment. He knew he couldn't keep living the life of a drug dealer if he wanted to be a real father.
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Today, Bailee is 17. She’s a musician herself—she even has a verse on his song "Tears Could Talk." Watching them perform together is enough to make anyone emotional. Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO have full custody of Bailee, and they’ve raised her through some pretty tough years involving Bailee’s biological mother, Felicia Beckwith, struggling with addiction.
Noah Buddy DeFord: The Quiet Force
Then there’s Noah. Born August 23, 2016, Noah Buddy is now 9 years old.
You don’t see Noah nearly as much as Bailee. That isn't because Jelly loves him any less; it’s about respect. Noah lives primarily with his mother, Melisa. Jelly has said in interviews that because he isn't the primary custodial parent for Noah like he is for Bailee, he wants to respect Melisa’s privacy and the boundaries she’s set for their son.
Basically, he doesn't want to be the "famous dad" who exploits his son’s childhood for clicks. But every now and then, Bunnie or Jelly will share a glimpse of him—like a TikTok where we learned he loves the color red and Pokémon. He’s a cute kid, and by all accounts, he and Bailee are close.
Why Everyone Is Talking About a Third Baby in 2026
If you’ve been keeping up with the DeFords lately, you know the "how many kids" question is getting complicated. For the last year or so, Jelly and Bunnie have been incredibly vocal about their IVF and surrogacy journey.
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Bunnie is 45, and she’s been very transparent about why she can’t carry a child herself. She’s dealt with endometriosis, PCOS, and past ectopic pregnancies. Last year, they officially announced they were looking for a surrogate to bring a "little piece of both of them" into the world.
"I'm literally going through IVF treatments right now," Bunnie shared on her podcast. "The hormones, the shots, all that."
In mid-2025, there were reports that they received "life-changing news," which many fans took to mean a successful embryo transfer. However, don't expect an announcement the second a baby arrives. Bunnie has gone on record saying they plan to keep any new addition a secret for six months to a year after the birth to enjoy those private moments without the paparazzi and internet commenters weighing in.
So, while the official count is two, there’s a very high probability that by this time next year, Jelly Roll will be a father of three.
The Role of Bunnie XO: More Than a Stepmom
You can’t talk about Jelly Roll’s kids without talking about Bunnie. She isn't just a stepmother; she’s the glue. She’s the one who spearheaded the legal battle for custody of Bailee. She’s the one who maintains a great relationship with Noah’s mom, Melisa.
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It takes a specific kind of person to walk into a situation with two kids from two different women and make it feel like one cohesive unit. Jelly calls her the "Queen of the Trailer Park," but in reality, she’s the Chief Operating Officer of the DeFord household.
What Most People Get Wrong
There are a few myths that float around TikTok and Reddit that need clearing up:
- Does he have kids with Bunnie? Not biologically, not yet. They are working on it through IVF.
- Is Bailee's mom in the picture? It’s complicated. Bailee has tried to have a relationship with her biological mother, Felicia, but there have been relapses and setbacks that have been documented on the Dumb Blonde podcast.
- Is Noah "hidden"? No, just protected. Jelly Roll is very protective of Noah’s mother’s wishes.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the family and want to stay updated without falling for clickbait, here is what you should actually do:
- Follow Bunnie XO’s "Dumb Blonde" Podcast: This is where the real, unvarnished truth comes out. If there is a baby update, it’ll likely break there or on her Patreon first.
- Watch the Hulu Documentary: If you haven't seen Jelly Roll: Save Me, go watch it. It gives the best context for why he parents the way he does.
- Respect the "Noah Rule": If you see photos of Noah that weren't posted by the family, don't circulate them. They’ve asked for privacy for him for a reason.
Jelly Roll’s family is a testament to the fact that "family" isn't always a straight line. It’s messy, it’s blended, and it’s full of second chances. Whether he has two kids or three by the end of this year, he’s clearly proving that your past doesn’t have to dictate what kind of father you become.