Kelsea Ballerini Reflects on ACM Awards Heartbreak and Finding New Meaning in Success
After a tough night at the 2024 ACM Awards, Kelsea Ballerini opened up about her heartbreak and how she’s learning to find success beyond trophies.
In a candid Elle interview, the 32-year-old said, “I wish I had a good answer for this, or I’d probably sleep a little better at night.” Despite seven No. 1 hits, she found herself without any recently. “I still put in the work, and I still show up and put out songs that are undeniably country… it’s just different now, and that’s OK.”
Though the loss hurt — “I did cry myself to sleep that night” — Kelsea remains committed: “I’m not gonna stop making music. I’m happy to be in the conversation. I know I have value here, and this is not where I find my success.”
She attended the ACMs with then-boyfriend Chase Stokes and was nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Music Event of the Year but lost to Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley.
In September, Kelsea and Chase announced their split after nearly three years together. She deleted photos of him from Instagram, while he continues to share pictures of her, including a heartfelt birthday tribute posted days before their breakup.
