Photo Credit: Getty Images
Hey Kelsea Ballerini, what is your current status? And tell us: are you attempting to keep it?
Even though a representative for the musician confirmed to E! News in September that she and Chase Stokes had ended their nearly three-year romance, it appeared like the 32-year-old was claiming his heart.
When the "I Sit in Parks" singer joined Chase in Dubrovnik, Croatia, to film the fifth and final season of Outer Banks, she appeared to be having a great time as they danced to ABBA's "Dancing Queen" in a video that went viral earlier this month.
And, given that the singer was photographed FaceTiming the actor, 33, at Kentucky's Keeneland race track in October and double tapping one of his Instagram photos the same month, it doesn't appear that anyone could be that guy.
But, according to Chase, his ex has officially rolled up the welcome mat.
"I'm blocked; I did nothing wrong," the actor remarked in a post on Instagram Stories on November 20. "I tried."
Chase then wrote in a second slide, "I apologize to those who believed in us. It's what it is. Onward and upward.
And it wasn't his first statement on the subject.
Days earlier, Chase commented on Kelsea's Nov. 16 TikTok promoting "People Pleaser" from her current EP, Mount Pleasant.
As fans claimed that another single, "Emerald City," had Kelsea singing about feeling she had to compete with Chase's Outer Banks co-star and IRL ex-girlfriend Madelyn Cline, he responded, saying, "These comments are fucking strange. "Grow up. (E! News has contacted Chase and Kelsea's representatives but has yet to get a response.)
Because there's no doubt he genuinely loved Kelsea throughout their three-year relationship.
They say, "Get out with the old, get in with the new," and because of her five-year marriage to fellow singer Morgan Evans, which ended in 2022, Kelsea hadn't been on a date since she was 22, when she decided to shoot her shot with the actor.
"Hiii Chase Stokes," she said in the first direct message, which was sent shortly after 1 a.m. on December 1, 2022.
He responded two hours later, and she was right back where she started with her fellow Virgo, as she sang in 2023's "How Do I Do This."
Even though all she knew about love had been wrecked, she found herself writing a completely new chapter.
"Honestly, he shoots in Charleston, and my manager lives there, and he put the bug in my ear," the six-time Grammy-nominated musician explained on her February 2023 episode of Call Her Daddy. "He was like, 'You know who's really cute—when you're ready? Chase.' And I was like, 'You're so right.' And I've never seen the show, but I just knew of him. And yeah, so I followed him, and he followed me, and I just swan-dived right on in."
During a November 2023 appearance on Call Her Daddy, Kelsea Ballerini recounted her memorable first kiss with Chase Stokes, which marked the beginning of a significant relationship. Their bond developed quickly, leading to shared experiences like attending the College Football National Championship game and making public appearances, including their debut at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. Kelsea expressed her deep admiration for Chase, calling him the most emotionally intelligent man she has ever known, and noted that he inspired her songwriting.
In promoting her album PATTERNS, Kelsea revealed that 'First Rodeo' was the first love song she wrote for Chase, capturing her vulnerable feelings about opening up in their relationship. She described the album as filled with love, emphasizing that love is a central theme in every track. Despite occasionally feeling like oversharing, both emphasized the importance of their privacy while highlighting the joy they've found in small, meaningful moments together, such as FaceTime date nights.
Kelsea indicated a willingness to keep an open mind about their future, suggesting that she would reconsider her previous certainties. She regarded Chase as a significant influence on her life and music, viewing her album as a heartfelt tribute to their relationship. However, recent reports suggest that they have since parted ways, potentially leading to future songs reflecting that transition.
