NEWS FLASH: After swirling rumors, Kelsea Ballerini reveals where her heart stands now — and the truth surprises everyone.LC
Kelsea Ballerini is doin’ her best.
Nearly four months after the “Love Me Like You Mean It” singer confirmed her breakup with Chase Stokes, she made a heartfelt plea to fans who may be curious about what really happened between herself and the Outer Banks star.
“If i had one favor,” Kelsea wrote on her Instagram Story Dec. 1 alongside a beachside picture of her smiling, “it would be honoring that im trying to make my personal life personal for now.”
The 32-year-old also alluded to rumors surrounding her breakup with Chase, adding, “Unless it comes from me, its not from me. and that is really important in protecting my peace right now.”
Indeed, Kelsea has addressed online “speculators” over her love life on multiple occasions, most recently telling fans that her music is not meant to spur clickbait.
“I write songs to relate to,” she said during a pop-up concert in Nashville Nov. 17, per People, “not to make a point on the internet.”
The Voice coach noted her appreciation for fans “embracing the not-so-glittery parts” of her life, adding, “I know that I’m the luckiest to be able to have all these very big feelings and be like, ‘I need to put it in music or I will combust.’”
Likewise, Chase—who sparked reconciliation rumors with Kelsea in early November after they were spotted dancing together in Croatia—has also cautioned fans about speculating over the status of their relationship.
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
“Don’t believe the media,” he wrote on his Instagram Story Nov. 20. “I’m blocked, I did nothing wrong.”
So, how is Kelsea really doing after the split?
“I’m in a steady and happy place right now,” she confirmed in her Dec. 1 Instagram Story. “Truly excited for this australia tour and the holidays.”
Though their love song seems to have come to an end, read on for a look back at Kelsea and Chase’s romance.
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
December 2022: Shooting Her Shot
Kelsea Ballerini slid into Chase Stokes‘ DMs on Dec. 1, 2022 at 1:30 a.m. while she was out drunk with friends at a bar.
They eventually met up in person for the first time on Jan. 7, 2023, which she considers their anniversary.
“He hopped out of his Bronco, and he did not say a word to me,” Kelsea later recalled on Call Her Daddy in November 2023, “and he grabbed my face and he kissed me and he pulled my face away and he said, ‘Thank God you’re real.'”
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
December 2022: Shooting Her Shot
Their romance blossomed after that first DM, which Kelsea shared in September 2023.
January 2023: Romance Rumors
The two huddled up to watch the University of Georgia dominate Texas Christian University at the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship in California.
Instagram/Kelsea Ballerini
January 2023: First Date Nerves
In August 2023, Kelsea posted footage of the beginning of their relationship, sharing a throwback clip on TikTok of herself preparing for their first official date on Jan. 7, 2023.
“Happy weekend,” she captioned the post, “heres a video i sent to my best friend before my first date with chase.”
Set to her song “How Do I Do This,” which is about going on a first date after many years, Kelsea modeled her outfit in the video.
“Here’s the look, with the boots” Kelsea said while checking herself out in a full-length mirror.
Turning around to showcase her half-up, half-down hairstyle, she added, “We’ve got the hair clip, because we’re trying to be a cool girl.”
She continued speaking to an unnamed friend, explaining, “He’s picking me up and we’re going to a sushi place and I’ll call you tomorrow and for a full update.”
Taking a deep breath and raising one arm and finger in the air, she finally said, “I can do this. I can do this.”
And, after doing a little dance, she proclaimed, “It’s just a date. You just go and you just eat food and you talk about things that you do, OK?”
February 2023: Instagram Cuteness
Chase shared a pic of himself and Kelsea showing some PDA.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT
April 2023: Red Carpet Debut
The pair officially hard launched their pairing, stepping out as a couple at the CMT Music Awards in Texas.
Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images
April 2023: Broadway Baby
Days later, the duo attended the premiere party for the Broadway musical Shucked at New York City’s Capitale.
May 2023: Hometown Visit
Chase joined Kelsea on a trip to her hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Armani beauty
July 2023: PDA Alert
The two attended Armani Beauty’s ACQUA DI GIO and Gen A celebration in Malibu, Calif.
Instagram/Chase Stokes
July 2023: The Sweetest Surprise
Chase shocked Kelsea when he unexpectedly greeted her at the airport, with both stars posting video and photos from their adorable reunion.
Photo by Kristy Sparow/Variety via Getty Images
August 2023: Ciao Bella
The couple only had eyes for one another at a Venice Film Festival event.
Gotham/GC Images
August 2023: NYC Date Night
While in NYC to perform on TODAY, the singer scheduled in a date night with her No. 1 fan.
“It’s just nice to feel so supported and seen,” Kelsea said on the show of Chase, “and, yeah, he’s such a wonderful, wonderful human being.”
Instagram/Kelsea Ballerini
September 2023: Birthday Love
To commemorate Kelsea’s 30th birthday on Sept. 12, 2023 Chase posted a carousel of photos and videos of the three-time Grammy nominee.
“Dirty 30 looks pretty damn good on you ballerini,” he captioned the series. “i love you.”
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
September 2023: Red Hot
Making it a red-letter day, the pair celebrated Kelsea’s birthday by coordinating on the carpet at the 2023 MTV VMAs.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
September 2023: VMAs PDA
And, yes, they shared a birthday kiss.
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
September 2023: Couple’s Selfie
Kelsea unveiled this pic on Chase’s 31st birthday days later.
Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
September 2023: A Black Tie Affair
Kelsea and Chase were dressed to the nines when they attended designer Giorgio Armani’s One Night Only event in Venice, Italy.
The singer-songwriter and the Outer Banks star shared images of their getaway on Instagram, including snaps from a cooking class and lounging at the beach.
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
September 2023: All Smiles
Kelsea shared this behind-the-scenes look from the event.
John Shearer/Getty Images for CMA
November 2023: Loving Like They Mean It
Kelsea planted a smooch on Chase’s cheek at the CMA Awards in November 2023.
Leah Puttkammer/FilmMagic
November 2023: Sex Confession
Kelsea revealed details of their sex life in November 2023, telling Alex Cooper on Call Her Daddy, “I’m having a nice time.”
In the past, “my experience with it was very performative and for the other person,” she noted. “And it don’t be like that anymore.”
The musician didn’t understand how sex could be “a real connector in a relationship” before dating Chase.
“I always thought that it was just something that you did because that’s who you do it with,” the Grammy nominee shared. “Now I realize it’s a connector for people.”
Instagram / Chase Stokes
January 2024: Chase’s Anniversary Post
“One year of lovin you,” the actor wrote. “P.s. told ya I wouldn’t embarrass you.”
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
January 2024: Naughty Selfie
“A whole trip around the sun with my bestie,” Kelsea wrote in her anniversary post. “@hichasestokes thanks for making me write love songs.”
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
January 2024: Happy Anniversary
A year after calling dibs on each other’s hearts, they celebrated their love.
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
January 2024: Watching the Sunset
Kelsea shared this romantic pic from their anniversary celebration.
Cindy Ord/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
May 2024: In Full Bloom
Kelsea and Chase didn’t sleep on their chance to make a strong Met Gala debut, arriving to the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art steps for the opening of the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibition in coordinated Michael Kors looks.
Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix
September 2024: Red Carpet Date Night
Kelsea joined her boyfriend at the premiere of his Netflix movie Uglies.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
February 2025: Hitting the Right Notes
She may have walked away from the 2025 Grammys a three-time loser, her and “Cowboys Cry Too” collaborator Noah Kahan joking about being bested by Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus’ “II Most Wanted.” But Kelsea brought her own prize to the awards show.
Instagram/@hichasestokes
September 2025: Break Up
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