Bunnie XO breaks silence on 'fake kiss' allegations after ACM Awards appearance with Jelly Roll
Bunnie XO is directly addressing online backlash targeting her affectionate moment with Jelly Roll at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards. During a new episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast, the podcast host and social media personality pushed back against accusations that her relationship with the country singer is performative.
Jelly Roll, Bunnie Xo at the 60th Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the Ford Center at The Star on May 08, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
Gilbert Flores
Comments erupted after footage surfaced showing the couple sharing only a quick peck on the red carpet. Rather than a full-on kiss, the brief moment drew claims from trolls alleging their relationship was staged. Bunnie quoted some of the negative remarks on her show, saying, “They’re like, ‘She’s not really with him, that was a fake kiss, this is fake love.’”
The influencer offered perspective on the reality of red carpet appearances, noting the pressure of facing hundreds of camera flashes at once. She explained that lingering too long on a kiss would invite another wave of judgment. “If I lingered on his lips longer than 10 seconds, you guys would be like, ‘She’s still a wh–e. Get a room, this is disgusting,’” she said. On top of that, her makeup plays a practical role—lip gloss and liner don’t exactly pair well with high-definition event photography.
Photographers, she noted, often single out her and Jelly Roll with specific requests to kiss for the cameras—something she finds unusual compared to how other couples are treated. Bunnie stated firmly that she loves kissing her husband, but she refuses to lock lips just to please public expectations.
The discussion extended to past performances, where fans previously accused her of showing too much affection on stage. Now, she finds herself facing opposite criticism. “First it was I was kissing him too much. Then it was, ‘Oh, she doesn’t like him, she doesn’t even want to kiss him,’” Bunnie said. As their audience has expanded to include families and children, she and Jelly Roll have become more conscious of how they express their connection in public.
Their recent ACM Awards appearance wasn’t just about photo ops. Jelly Roll also performed with Shaboozey and was nominated for three major awards: Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year. Although the wins went to other artists, the nominations mark a continued rise in his country music career.
Bunnie has remained a steady presence at his side during awards season, but their love story goes well beyond the spotlight. The couple first met in 2015 and were married by 2016, long before Jelly Roll gained national fame. Their personal life includes full custody of Jelly Roll’s 17-year-old daughter, Bailee, and co-parenting his 8-year-old son, Noah, from previous relationships.
In recent months, the couple has openly discussed their desire to expand their family through IVF. During a red carpet interview with Access Hollywood, Jelly Roll shared a heartfelt update on the process. “We’re right in the middle of the journey,” he said. “For all of our friends out there who have been supporting and praying for us that know the journey we are on, y’all know how hard it is. Thanks for praying for us. We’re still trying.”
