Bunnie XO, known for hosting the popular “Dumb Blonde” podcast, balances her roles as a rock star’s wife, a mother, and the owner of a cow sanctuary. She humorously shares that parenting teenagers is a challenging experience, stating, “Having a teenager is not for the weak.” Alisa DeFord, her real name, adds that navigating teenage years can feel like a daunting task. “I tell everybody this: 13 is when the dark goes over their eyes and you’re just like, ‘Hello? Where are you?’”
Despite these challenges, Bunnie finds joy in her relationship with her 17-year-old stepdaughter, Bailee Ann. “Bailee is my best friend. I love her to death,” she asserts. Bunnie also serves as a stepmother to 9-year-old Noah Buddy. In a recent update, the couple revealed their plans to expand their family through IVF, hoping to conceive a child by June 2024.
Bunnie credits Bailee for helping her prepare for interviews on her podcast, where she has spoken with notable celebrities including Machine Gun Kelly, Jon Bon Jovi, and Dolly Parton. “Everything she’s taught me, I apply to my everyday life and my interviews — having patience and if people say off-the-wall things, you’re not reactive,” she explains. Reflecting on a recent interview that went awry, she highlighted her ability to defuse tension with the skills she’s learned from gentle parenting.
Growing up, Bunnie XO faced a difficult childhood, which she details in her memoir, “Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic,” set to release in February 2026. She describes her early life as that of an “abused runaway” in Las Vegas, mentioning her past involvement in drug sales and sex work, which ultimately helped her to reclaim her strength and rise to prominence.
An early love for talk shows and radio paved the way for her career. Bunnie admired personalities like Howard Stern, whom she refers to as her idol, captivated by the power of voice in media. She fondly recalls practicing as a radio host on a small boombox, inspired by legends of the genre.
In 2019, Bunnie launched “Dumb Blonde” from her dining room, naming it after her admiration for Dolly Parton who embraced the “dumb blonde” stereotype. Her tagline, “Trailer Park Barbie Walters,” cleverly reflects her own persona and a tribute to the late journalist. Bunnie noted, “When I was first doing my podcast, I was in sex work, so people would look at me and be like, ‘What does this dumb blonde have to say?’” In 2023, she announced her retirement from sex work via a Facebook post.
Today, “Dumb Blonde” ranks highly on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Bunnie records her episodes in Nashville, where she lives with her family, including two rescue Highland cows named Crunch and Smore Starr. By sharing her story, she hopes to connect with others: “I’m so amazed that people even want to hear anything I have to say. If it gets me in trouble, that’s OK. Being authentic is the best thing that you can possibly do. Maybe that’s what draws people in.”
Through her podcasting journey, Bunnie has found that listeners desire love and a chance to express themselves. “Everybody deserves a safe space,” she asserts, highlighting her commitment to providing an open and welcoming atmosphere for guests.
Bunnie often reveals her own vulnerabilities in her conversations, demonstrating genuine interest in her guests’ stories. She believes that the term “empathy” has been overused, yet she truly appreciates people’s experiences: “When I’m sitting there, and I’m in their energy, I just feel their hearts… I genuinely want to know what makes people tick.”
One particularly impactful episode featured Shanna Moakler, the mother of two and ex-wife of Travis Barker, who has faced public scrutiny. “When Shanna came on my podcast, a lot of people were looking down on her and calling her a ‘bad mom,’” Bunnie recounts. Following their conversation, the public’s perception shifted, leading to a newfound respect for Moakler.
Bunnie speaks from experience when addressing mom shaming. Although she and Jelly Roll have held full custody of Bailee since she was seven, she faces online criticism suggesting she isn’t a real mother. In response to one TikTok comment, she stated, “She might be my bonus baby, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I’m her mom, too. So many people try to come at me and say things like this … Bailee calls me ‘Mom’ by choice. I never asked her to call me that.”
Bunnie chooses her battles wisely, choosing to react only when necessary. “Being a mother is probably one of the most selfless jobs that you could ever do in life. If your child is happy, healthy, and thriving, then you are kicking a–, Mama. Don’t listen to what anybody else has to say online … moms are awesome,” she concludes.
