Bunnie Xo reflected on the hurtful comments she received about her body while undergoing in vitro fertilisation, saying the experience taught her not to let online criticism define her self-worth. The podcaster opened up about the emotional toll of navigating fertility treatments while facing public scrutiny regarding her physical appearance.Bunnie Xo, whose real name is Alisa Andrea DeFord, spoke with a guest during the July 7 episode of her podcast about their shared experiences with endometriosis, weight gain and the criticism they’ve faced online while navigating their health journeys. The discussion prompted the 46-year-old podcaster to reflect on her own fertility journey and the harsh judgments she encountered from strangers on the internet.
Bunnie Xo on IVF weight gain and online criticism
Bunnie Xo detailed the physical effects of in vitro fertilisation and the resulting commentary from online observers. “I know what it’s like to try to navigate that. As I was going through IVF, it put weight on me, and people would be like, ‘Oh, she’s bigger than her husband now,'” she said, recounting the specific types of comparisons strangers made about her changing body.
Bunnie Xo shared how she learned to ignore body-shaming remarks made during her IVF journey and focus on her path to parenthood.Image credit (Bunnie Xo Instagram)
The podcaster emphasised the particularly cruel nature of these comments given the circumstances surrounding her weight gain. “You’re literally trying to make a baby with your body, and it’s like people just have no respect. The internet is just so crazy, but I’ve learned that it’s just miserable people who have nothing better to do than just comment on other people’s lives. So you can’t ever let that get to you” she stated reflecting on how she has learned to process and dismiss the negativity.Her comments highlight the unique vulnerability that individuals experience during fertility treatments when physical and emotional demands are already significantly elevated.
Fertility journey with Jelly Roll
Bunnie Xo’s reflections on her IVF experience come weeks after she shared details about her continued plans to have a child with her estranged husband, musician Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, despite their separation. During a June 18 episode of her podcast, she revealed that she and Jelly Roll had finalized their divorce remarkably quickly but remained committed to their shared goal of becoming parents.“We’re literally settling our divorce in like… We’ve done it in like, what? Three weeks? Two weeks? We’re still having a baby together,” she said at the time. The couple described themselves as “the most unconventional couple” listeners had encountered, explaining that they planned to co-parent moving forward.Bunnie Xo emphasized the nature of their relationship during the separation. “We’re going to co-parent together. J is my best friend. Like, this isn’t what you guys think this is. Nobody cheated on the other person. It’s literally just we served our purpose for each other” she stated addressing speculation about the reasons behind their divorce.
Despite their separation, Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll remain committed to having a child together, continuing their fertility journey and plans to co-parent.Image credit (Bunnie Xo Instagram)
Bunnie Xo on the emotional impact of fertility challenges
The couple’s fertility journey has taken a significant emotional toll on both individuals. Bunnie Xo revealed that they had lost four embryos while trying to conceive together a devastating setback in their efforts to start a family. “It wrecked me emotionally, spiritually, physically” she said describing the comprehensive impact of the loss.She noted that both she and Jelly Roll, 41 underwent hormone treatments during the fertility process. “In a way I kind of think J and I are trauma-bonded” she reflected acknowledging how the shared experience of navigating fertility challenges had deepened their connection despite the end of their romantic relationship.
The former couple’s continued commitment to parenthood
Despite the end of their marriage, both Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll remain focused on their shared dream of becoming parents. Bunnie Xo previously wrote in her memoir ‘Stripped Down’ published in February that she and Jelly Roll had found a surrogate and planned to continue their fertility journey using her eggs and his sperm. She documented that they had been attempting to have a child together since October 31, 2019 indicating years of commitment to this goal.Bunnie Xo expressed her determination to see the fertility journey through to completion despite the challenges she has faced. “I’m so excited to live my life through a child’s eyes, which is why this baby journey, I’m not going to let it break me, and I’m not going to deter it. And J has been so f—ing great about us still having a baby together and he wants the same thing. And we’re just going to raise little Nugget as one big happy family,” she said, demonstrating her continued optimism about their shared future as co-parents.Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll tied the knot in August 2016 and have been candid about their efforts to grow their family, documenting their fertility journey publicly in recent years.
