The wife of Grammy-winning artist Jelly Roll has detailed the harrowing mental health struggle she experienced after taking weight loss drugs.
“Honestly, I just went through an attack of suicidal ideas from the use of GLP-1,” said Bunnie Xo, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, told People magazine.
Bunnie, 46, married Jelly Roll (Jason Bradley DeFord) in 2016 and is the mother of his two children.
Jelly Roll, 41, has been on his own weight loss journey since 2023. He has since lost 275 pounds without the help of GLP-1s, works with a medical team, a chef, and a sports nutritionist, and is seeking professional treatment for his food addiction.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo at the Grammy Awards in February 2026. / Phil McCarten/CBS via Getty Images
GLP-1 receptor agonists, sold under names such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, are a class of drugs used to manage diabetes and support weight loss, favored by celebrities such as Oprah and Serena Williams.
“[December 2025] it was one of the darkest times of my life, and it was terrifying,” said Bunnie, podcast host and author.
“I pride myself on the fact that I’ve only had anxiety. I’ve never had depression,” Bunnie said.
She details her tough childhood in her new memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic (HarperCollins Publishers), out February 17.
The memory of Bunnie Xo,
“So, when you get slammed with suicidal thoughts and visions and just, oh, it was horrible,” she continued.
“You want to have anxiety because you want to be afraid of dying. You don’t want to have depression because it literally doesn’t matter if you want to die. So yeah, it was really dark.”
Bunnie started using GLP-1s because of health issues in her family.
“Both of my parents had diabetes. So my insulin numbers are really crazy and my body just can’t tolerate it,” she said, adding, “I want to be part of the cool crowd and be skinny and not have a care in the world.”
Bunnie Xo at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas, 2025. / Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images
Although Bunnie says she feels much better now, she felt compelled to share her story in order to help others. “I really think people need to talk about this more,” she said.
“I just want people to know you’re not alone. Everyone goes through ups and downs and it’s worth staying here. Please stay. Everyone, please stay because you’re here for a reason and you’re going through it, but don’t make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion because you’re going to leave.”
If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988.