Country star Jelly Roll is no stranger to emotional highs, but his latest moment of pure joy came not from the stage or a chart milestone—it came from a tiny, four-legged newcomer named Griz.
In a now-viral video uploaded by his wife, Bunnie XO, the “Son of a Sinner” singer can be seen positively giddy as he prepares to meet his first-ever miniature donkey, the latest addition to their newly purchased Nashville farm. After a year packed with achievements—including his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with Beautifully Broken and a sold-out U.S. tour—Jelly Roll is finally taking time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
And what better way to celebrate than by expanding the DeFord family farm?
A Farm Full of Love (and Laughs)
Earlier this week, Bunnie XO delighted fans by sharing a video of the couple welcoming three adorable miniature cows—named Crunch, Brownie, and S’more. Jelly Roll was especially smitten with Crunch, joking, “He has the same hair as me. He’s probably nice.”
But the laughs really kicked in when Bunnie revealed that everyone except Jelly had gotten their own farm animal. Cue the donkey envy.
“He got jealous,” Bunnie teased, as she filmed Jelly hyping himself up to meet Griz, his own miniature donkey. “First impressions last a lifetime,” Jelly nervously quipped, running his hands through his hair before heading outside. “It’s my first time seeing Donkey!”
A Christmas Morning Moment
Jelly Roll’s reaction to meeting Griz is pure gold. Like a kid on Christmas morning, he bounds out the door, eyes wide, heart full.
“I’m excited, the donkey’s gonna love me. We’re gonna be friends forever,” he proclaims. “To future donkey—I loved you from Day One.”
When Griz finally arrives, Jelly can hardly believe his eyes.
“There’s no way he’s standing up right now… That donkey’s not that small!” he exclaims, before bursting into laughter. “This is the best donkey ever! Oh my God, he’s standing up. What’s up, donkey! Donkey, donkey, donkey! He’s a little show donkey, look at him struttin’!”
But just as quickly, reality sets in.
“I’m worried,” Jelly says, watching Griz gallop through the field like a fuzzy blur. “He’s a wild donkey… They’re struggling to get him in the fence!”
Still, Jelly’s affection for his new buddy shines through. As he gazes at Griz with wide-eyed wonder, he says, “I like the donkey. I can’t believe he’s that small!”
Farm Life, Tour Life, and All the Love in Between
The DeFords’ new farm life is proving to be a wholesome, hilarious journey—and fans can’t get enough. Whether it’s mini cows or a mischievous mini donkey, it’s clear that Jelly Roll is embracing every moment with genuine joy.
As Bunnie XO continues documenting their adventures, fans are already wondering: what animal will join the family next?
Jelly Roll won’t have long to soak up farm life, though—he’s set to hit the road again in March for the Canadian leg of his Beautifully Broken Tour, followed by a major summer stadium run alongside Post Malone and Sierra Ferrell.
But no matter how big the venue or how loud the crowd, it’s safe to say that back on the farm, Griz the miniature donkey has already stolen the show—and Jelly’s heart.
