Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have officially called it quits after nearly three years together, according to an exclusive revelation from a source close to the couple, as reported by Us Weekly.
“The split was challenging,” the insider disclosed. “In recent weeks, their arguments had become frequent, and communication issues hindered their understanding of one another. As both were busy traveling and trying to balance their hectic schedules, tensions escalated.”
Interestingly, it was Ballerini, 32, who took the initial step to address their challenges, though both she and Stokes, 33, approached the breakup with a commendable maturity, mutually recognizing their need for space.
“There remains a lot of affection between them,” the source added, emphasizing that both Ballerini and Stokes are currently navigating very demanding schedules. Before their separation, they made genuine efforts to salvage the relationship.
Ballerini’s representative confirmed to Us on September 14 that the couple had parted ways—just two days following Stokes’ heartfelt birthday tribute to her on Instagram.
This was Stokes’ first serious romance since Ballerini’s divorce from fellow musician Morgan Evans in 2022.
“Even though time has passed, Kelsea is still processing her divorce and discovering her own needs, and she isn’t in a position to settle for less,” noted the insider. Chase was understanding of her journey, but ultimately they came to the realization that their goals were not as aligned as they had hoped.
Us Weekly has reached out to representatives for both Ballerini and Stokes for further comments.
The couple made their relationship public in January 2023, only a month after Ballerini bravely slid into Stokes’ Instagram DMs—a bold leap into romance that one could say dispels the notion that social media is merely a virtual battleground.
“I was ready to open back up,” she shared during a February 2023 episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. “I thought, why not? I’ve never really dated; I don’t know how it all works. So I decided to just put myself out there. We had a great vibe, and it was fun.”
Ballerini once noted that she had “never watched” Stokes’ Netflix series, which features his ex-girlfriend Madelyn Cline, yet was aware of the actor. She decided to dive into his messages without hesitation—evidence of the go-getter mentality popularized in today’s dating scene.
The pair hit it off instantly, making their red carpet debut at the CMT Music Awards in April 2023. They took a significant step by moving in together within a year, an experience that even inspired songs like “Baggage” from Ballerini’s latest album, Patterns.
The lyrics reflect the weightiness of prior relationships but also the hope of building a future with understanding and love. Ballerini lists the specifics of this shared journey through poignant metaphors, creating a resonance with anyone who has navigated the delicate waters of past and present romance.
