The 39-year-old musician hit the event in style Saturday evening as he coordinated with his 16-year-old daughter and his 7-year-old son to pull off matching denim looks. Jelly rocked a button-up denim shirt and dark slacks, while Bailee sported a button-up vest with matching jeans. The youngest member of the family sported an adorable jean jacket and jeans, as well as a baseball cap.
It”s a rare but welcome appearance for the father of two and his kids as it is typically his wife, Bunnie XO, who accompanies him to events — such as the Country Music Awards and the GRAMMYS. The pair wed in 2016 and Bunnie serves as step-mom to Bailee and Noah, who both come from Jelly”s previous relationships. Bailee Ann, Jelly Roll and Noah Buddy DeFord attend 2024 Nickelodeon”s Kids” Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on July 13, 2024 in Santa Monica, California – Kayla Oaddams/WireImage
The protective dad typically keeps his kiddos out of the spotlight, but is known to make exceptions for big events — such as the Kids” Choice Awards. As fans well know, it was Jelly”s daughter who inspired him to turn his life around as he was in jail for drug dealing when Bailee was born. Missing the birth of his daughter was a wake-up call for the now two-time GRAMMY Award nominee.
“I could no longer be selfish. There was something that was solely relying on me,” he told 105.7 The Point in a previous interview. “I knew that that was an important task. So I wanted to take it seriously. And I did. I take it very seriously to this day.” Bailee Ann, Noah Buddy and Jelly Roll at the 2024 Kids” Choice Awards – Getty Images
And Jelly clearly loves being a dad, too. In June, Jelly and Bunnie, 44, revealed that they are looking to expand their already-blended family and were in the process of undergoing IVF to try and have a baby of their own.
During one episode of the Bussin” With the Boys podcast, the singer shared that the conversation of more kids also sparked his decision to lose more than 60 pounds.
“I think it was realizing that I just want to feel good,” he said. “… My wife and I are talking about having a baby. And it really made me realize, at almost 40, I was like, ”That means I gotta live till at least 60. I gotta see this kid into college.” Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO at the 2024 ACM Awards – Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images
Bunnie reposted the podcast clip on Instagram and explained their decision to try for another child.
“We had planned on doing this privately, but decided our IVF journey needed to be shared because we”ve always been so open. And w/ all odds stacked against us, it”s already been hard & we have only just begun,” she wrote. “J & I are so excited & scared all at the same time.”
She added, “We genuinely never thought we”d want to add to our family but something changed this year & we both just want a piece of us together to add to our already perfect family with Bailee & Noah.”