Close Menu
    Subscribe
    Entertainment

    Kelsea Ballerini Shares Insight Into NYC Move After Chase Stokes Split

    soreceryBy No Comments9 Mins Read

    Watch: Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Stokes Separately Attend Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 3 Months After Breakup

    Kelsea Ballerini will eventually roll the welcome mat back up.

    Nearly three weeks after the “Peter Pan” singer announced her move to New York City, she clarified that her relocation from Nashville is “just for now.”

    “I’m not permanently moving,” Kelsea exclusively told E! News’ Erin Lim Rhodes at the 2026 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in Los Angeles April 7. “I’m just there through the summer, and I’m loving it so much.”

    And for the 32-year-old, whose on-again, off-again romance with Chase Stokes ended for good in February, it’s been a chance to start fresh. “I’m just discovering,” she continued. “It’s so fun.”

    In fact, going out to explore the city and “just doing stuff for myself” has proven to be a source of inspiration.

    “I feel this resurgence of energy,” she added. “It’s been really nice, and I’m really excited.”

    The “Cowboys Cry Too” singer teased some of the ways she’s planning to be productive during her new adventure in the Big Apple. 

    read

    Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Stokes Each Attend Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 3 Months After Breakup

    “I’m on a mission to find the best spicy rigatoni,” she admitted, noting she’s more interested in the pasta dish than finding pizza. “That’s my Italian, that’s my heart. I gotta go find it.”

    Of course, looking for good Italian food could be just the respite Kelsea is looking for following a few months of rocky relationship updates. 

    Amy Sussman/Getty Images

    After confirming her breakup with Chase in September after three years together, the country singer and Outer Banks actor rekindled their romance in December. But despite appearing to be going strong at the 2026 Grammys in February, the pair had gone their separate ways a week later.

    Amid the breakup news, though, Kelsea shared an optimistic outlook on life.

    “This year asked you to shed layers you didn’t even realize you were still carrying. It brought endings you didn’t expect, lessons you didn’t ask for, and moments that tested your patience, strength, and faith,” a message she shared to her Instagram Story in February read. “But look at you. You’re still here. Wiser. Stronger. More aware of who you are and what you deserve.”

    For a look back at Kelsea and Chase’s years-long romance, keep reading… 

    Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini

    December 2022: Shooting Her ShotKelsea 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 ShotTheir romance blossomed after that first DM, which Kelsea shared in September 2023.

    Instagram

    January 2023: Romance RumorsThe 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 NervesIn 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 CutenessChase shared a pic of himself and Kelsea showing some PDA.

    Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT

    April 2023: Red Carpet DebutThe 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 BabyDays later, the duo attended the premiere party for the Broadway musical Shucked at New York City’s Capitale.

    Instagram

    May 2023: Hometown VisitChase joined Kelsea on a trip to her hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.

    Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Armani beauty

    July 2023: PDA AlertThe two attended Armani Beauty’s ACQUA DI GIO and Gen A celebration in Malibu, Calif.

    Instagram/Chase Stokes

    July 2023: The Sweetest SurpriseChase 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 BellaThe couple only had eyes for one another at a Venice Film Festival event.

    Gotham/GC Images

    August 2023: NYC Date NightWhile 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 LoveTo 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 HotMaking 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 PDAAnd, yes, they shared a birthday kiss. 

    Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini

    September 2023: Couple’s SelfieKelsea unveiled this pic on Chase’s 31st birthday days later.

    Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

    September 2023: A Black Tie AffairKelsea 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 SmilesKelsea shared this behind-the-scenes look from the event.

    John Shearer/Getty Images for CMA

    November 2023: Loving Like They Mean ItKelsea planted a smooch on Chase’s cheek at the CMA Awards in November 2023.

    Leah Puttkammer/FilmMagic

    November 2023: Sex ConfessionKelsea 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 AnniversaryA year after calling dibs on each other’s hearts, they celebrated their love.  

    Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini

    January 2024: Watching the SunsetKelsea shared this romantic pic from their anniversary celebration.

    Cindy Ord/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

    May 2024: In Full BloomKelsea 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 NightKelsea joined her boyfriend at the premiere of his Netflix movie Uglies.

    Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

    February 2025: Hitting the Right NotesShe 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 UpAfter nearly three years together, the duo officially called it quits on their relationship.

    Tammie/AFF-USA/Shutterstock

    December 2025: Back TogetherShe confirmed their reconcilation on New Year’s Eve.”Messy year for the heart, messy year for the outside coming in, messy year for the way it became an out of our hands portrayal of it,” Kelsea wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 31. “But what i’ll say, and all i really care to share indefinitely with my personal life anymore, is that i really love love. I believe in it, i believe in him, and i believe in breaking patterns.”

    Jason Kempin/Getty Images; Savion Washington/WireImage/Getty Images

    February 2026: Break UpAccording to multiple outlets, the couple split once more in February, just days after Kelsea shared they were in a good place.She explained at the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1 that their on-again-off-again relationship “looked a lot more dramatic” on the outside than it actually was.”We’ve been together for quite a while now and done a lot of life together and he was with me getting ready today and he’ll be with me when we wrap,” the singer told  of the breakup at the 2026 Grammys. “I love love and I believe it in it.”

    For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

     ​ 

    Share.
    Unknown's avatar

    Related Posts

    Add A Comment

    Leave a Reply

    Discover more from TheBullPost

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue reading