Sophia Michaels
Kelsea Ballerini, a notable country singer, has a wealth of new inspiration for her music thanks to her high-profile relationship with Chase Stokes from “Outer Banks.” The couple began dating following their respective breakups: Ballerini ended her five-year marriage to Morgan Evans, while Stokes split from Madelyn Cline, his co-star. They’ve been open about their affection towards each other, but when Ballerini was questioned about whether the attention might impact her ex’s feelings, she confidently stated on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, “I’m no longer married to him; his feelings are not my concern.”
Stokes has embraced showcasing their connection too, appearing in Ballerini’s music video for “First Rodeo,” a song that reflects on how they met. Stokes shared with Entertainment Tonight that being in the video was a natural fit, as Ballerini wanted someone to portray their unique story. With their rapid transitions from past relationships to this new romance, there are certainly some intriguing elements to explore regarding their partnership.
Bold Moves: Kelsea Makes the First Move
In a surprising twist, Kelsea Ballerini successfully connected with Chase Stokes through a simple but direct DM on Instagram. After they began following each other, she took the plunge with a straightforward message: “Hi, Chase Stokes.” During her appearance on “Call Her Daddy,” Ballerini mentioned that her manager, who resides in Charleston—where “Outer Banks” is filmed—encouraged her to reach out, even though she hadn’t watched the show and didn’t know much about Stokes. Her daring move paid off when Stokes took their connection public in January 2023 by posting a photo of them at a football game, marking the start of their two-year relationship.
Despite their unique success story, Kelsea’s DM approach may not be the best strategy for everyone looking for love.
No Jealousy: Kelsea Supports Chase’s Work
Kelsea Ballerini seems quite relaxed about her relationship with Chase Stokes, even acknowledging his past with Madelyn Cline, who plays his romantic partner in “Outer Banks.” The trio maintains a professional demeanor, with Stokes respecting Cline and emphasizing their commitment to keeping it businesslike on set. At the 2023 Video Music Awards, all three appeared together without any drama, showcasing their mutual professionalism. It appears that Ballerini, who enjoys “Outer Banks,” understands the nature of the entertainment business and is supportive of Stokes’s work, indicating a strong foundation of trust in their relationship.
Stokes highlighted their commitment to the show, hinting at how life transitions but their dedication to their craft remains steadfast.
Kelsea’s Support for Chase, Not His Show
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes seem to have established a solid balance between their personal and professional lives. Ballerini, for instance, has not fully indulged in her boyfriend’s popular Netflix show, “Outer Banks.” When attempting to interact with a TikTok filter that asked her to rank characters from the series, it was apparent that she wasn’t familiar with all of them. This prompted viewers to question whether she actually watched the show. Ballerini suggested she enjoys it but isn’t a devout follower, saying, “We have a deal! But I’ve seen a lot of this season, and it’s badass. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS YOUR HONOR” (via E! News). Her comment hinted that she might not be caught up on previous seasons, although she appears to be engaged with Season 4.
Despite not being extremely knowledgeable about the entire “Outer Banks” universe, she did rate Stokes’ character, John B, as her favorite when he appeared on screen. She expressed her admiration for him in character, saying, “The bandana, the face, the him. We stan.”
