The Untold Story: How Old Is Jelly Roll's Daughter Bailee Ann And 5 Shocking Facts About Her Life
The question of "how old is Jelly Roll's daughter" often leads fans down a rabbit hole of discovery, uncovering one of the most emotional and inspiring family stories in modern country music. As of today, December 20, 2025, Jelly Roll's eldest child, Bailee Ann DeFord, is 17 years old, a young woman navigating her teenage years under the spotlight of her father's massive, hard-won success. Her journey, from a traumatic early childhood to becoming a source of light and inspiration for her father, is a testament to resilience and the power of a father-daughter bond.
Bailee Ann’s life is deeply intertwined with her father, Jason DeFord's, transformative journey from a troubled rapper to a Grammy-nominated country-rock superstar. She has been a central figure in his life and music, inspiring the raw, emotional honesty that defines hits like "Save Me" and "Son of a Sinner." Understanding her current age and background provides essential context to the powerful music and family narrative Jelly Roll shares with the world.
Jelly Roll: Full Biography, Real Name, and Family Profile
The man known globally as Jelly Roll is a complex artist whose music reflects his tumultuous past and inspiring path to redemption. His family life, particularly his relationship with his children, is a cornerstone of his public persona.
- Real Name: Jason Bradley DeFord
- Date of Birth: December 4, 1984
- Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 41 years old
- Wife: Alisa DeFord, known professionally as Bunnie XO (Host of the *Dumb Blonde Podcast*). They married in 2016.
- Children:
- Daughter: Bailee Ann DeFord (Born May 22, 2008)
- Son: Noah Buddy DeFord (Born August 23, 2016)
- Career Breakthrough: Initially a rapper, he transitioned successfully into country-rock, achieving mainstream success with his 2023 album *Whitsitt Chapel*.
- Notable Awards & Nominations: CMA New Artist of the Year (2023), multiple CMT Awards, and a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist. He also received the prestigious Global Literacy Award.
- Key Themes: His music frequently addresses themes of addiction, mental health, faith, and the struggles of his past, including multiple incarcerations.
Bailee Ann DeFord: The Emotional Truth Behind Her Age
Bailee Ann DeFord was born on May 22, 2008. As of December 20, 2025, she is 17 years old. Her journey to this age has been anything but typical, a fact Jelly Roll has been unflinchingly honest about with his fans.
The significance of her age is tied to a pivotal moment in her father's life. Jelly Roll was incarcerated at the time of Bailee Ann's birth, a painful reality he has often discussed, citing it as a major catalyst for his eventual change.
For the first few years of her life, Bailee Ann was raised by her biological mother, who has since been identified as Melissa Ann Cowell in some reports. However, due to her mother's own struggles with addiction, Bailee Ann entered the full custody of her father, Jason DeFord, and her stepmother, Bunnie XO, in 2017. This crucial shift in custody when Bailee Ann was around nine years old marked the beginning of her stable family life.
Her father’s rise to fame has brought her into the public eye, where she is often seen supporting him at major events like the CMA Awards. Bailee Ann is not just a celebrity child; she is an aspiring singer and musician herself, often sharing her own musical talents on social media, following in the footsteps of her father.
5 Shocking Facts About Bailee Ann's Life and Family Dynamics
Jelly Roll’s family is known for their candidness about their unconventional life, which has only endeared them more to their massive fan base. Here are five key facts that add topical authority and depth to Bailee Ann’s story.
1. She Inspired Jelly Roll’s Most Famous Song
The song "Bailee," featured on Jelly Roll’s 2011 album, is a direct, emotional letter to his daughter, written while he was still struggling with his past. The song is a raw apology and a promise to be a better father. This track serves as a permanent musical record of the pain and love that defined their early relationship, making Bailee Ann a muse for his most personal work.
2. Her Stepmother, Bunnie XO, Is Her Legal Guardian
Bunnie XO, Jelly Roll's wife, officially became Bailee Ann's legal guardian in 2017. Bunnie has been incredibly open about the challenges and rewards of this role, emphasizing that their bond is built on love, respect, and mutual support, not just legal documents. The strong, public relationship between Bailee Ann and her stepmother is a major entity in the family's narrative.
3. Bailee Ann Surprised Her Parents with a Prom Night
In a touching viral moment, Bailee Ann, then 17, surprised her father and Bunnie XO with a full-blown prom night celebration. She did this after learning that neither of her parents had been able to attend their own high school proms due to their challenging upbringings. This gesture highlighted her maturity and deep appreciation for her parents' sacrifices.
4. She Has a Younger Half-Brother, Noah Buddy DeFord
Bailee Ann is the older sister to Noah Buddy DeFord, Jelly Roll’s son from a relationship with another woman. Noah was born on August 23, 2016, and is currently 9 years old. While Bailee Ann lives with Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO full-time, Noah is also a cherished part of the family and often joins them for vacations and family events, demonstrating a blended family dynamic.
5. She Was Featured in Her Father’s Documentary
Bailee Ann played a prominent role in the 2023 Hulu documentary, *Jelly Roll: Save Me*. The documentary chronicled her father's career and personal struggles, with Bailee Ann’s perspective providing crucial, emotional insight into the reality of growing up with a parent who has overcome addiction and incarceration. Her participation further cemented her status as a key entity in the Jelly Roll story.
The Future for Bailee Ann as an Up-and-Coming Artist
At 17, Bailee Ann DeFord is not just navigating high school; she is actively pursuing her own musical ambitions. She has demonstrated a strong, soulful voice, often performing covers and original songs for her social media followers. Her father, a passionate advocate for her talent, encourages her to forge her own path in the music industry.
Her early exposure to the complexities of fame and the music world, combined with the grounded, honest environment provided by Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO, positions her as a young artist with a unique and powerful story to tell. Fans eagerly await her next steps, curious to see if she will follow her father's country-rock path or carve out a new genre entirely.
Detail Author:
- Name : Dr. Keanu Mayert II
- Username : hlebsack
- Email : camryn87@upton.info
- Birthdate : 1974-04-28
- Address : 233 Marta Island Suite 801 Lake Linda, MT 63319
- Phone : (323) 373-5005
- Company : Wiegand-Hauck
- Job : Assembler
- Bio : Ad doloribus est unde et rem reiciendis sed. Cum doloribus possimus et cupiditate et est. Dolore ex enim quasi rem.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/elbert_greenfelder
- username : elbert_greenfelder
- bio : Non hic adipisci consectetur id ullam repellat maxime.
- followers : 5147
- following : 2155
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/greenfeldere
- username : greenfeldere
- bio : Voluptatum perferendis quidem sit est ratione. Harum nam esse ut vel. Asperiores quo totam dolores.
- followers : 124
- following : 2498
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@greenfeldere
- username : greenfeldere
- bio : Voluptate quasi sit aut. Impedit perspiciatis laboriosam sit optio itaque.
- followers : 2962
- following : 1283
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/elbertgreenfelder
- username : elbertgreenfelder
- bio : Rerum ipsam ut corrupti sequi.
- followers : 6198
- following : 2658
