Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have called it quits in a shock split that came just 48 hours after he was still publicly declaring his love.
The country superstar, 32, and the Outer Banks heartthrob, also 32, ended their nearly three-year romance on Sunday, concluding a relationship that once captivated fans as one of Hollywood’s most unexpected pairings.
Just two days earlier, Stokes was busy showering Ballerini with affection online.
For her 32nd birthday, he posted a series of affectionate photos and expressed, ‘Although you keep saying you’re not excited for 32, id say I’m lookin forward to more of this. happy birthday my love.’
By Sunday, the celebration had turned into heartbreak.
Ballerini’s representative confirmed the breakup to People, with a source noting: ‘They’re two adults who tried their best to make it work, but ultimately couldn’t. It happens.’
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have called it quits; (seen in May)
The country superstar, 32, and the Outer Banks heartthrob, also 32, reportedly pulled the plug on their nearly three-year romance; (seen in February)
Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from reps for Ballerini and Stokes.
The couple first appeared on the public radar in early 2023, when the Outer Banks star posted a photo of them cozying up at a football game in California.
What began as rumor quickly escalated — by April, they confirmed their relationship with a red-carpet debut at the CMT Awards, establishing themselves as one of entertainment’s most-watched couples.
In November 2024, Ballerini gushed about how much she appreciates Stokes’ pride in their relationship.
The singer reflected on how the actor made their relationship Instagram official back in January 2023 — before they had even discussed whether they were ‘together.’
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight during a game of Sip or Spill, she said, ‘I think it is very underrated for a man to be really proud of his relationship.’
She added, ‘[He posted that photo] before we even had the conversation of like, “Are we together?” Even as a very independently wired woman, I love when he’s like, “This is us. Here we are.” He full-sent that.’
The photo, shared on January 13, 2023, was captioned ‘Lil recap’ and featured the couple cuddled up at a football game, with Kelsea tagged in the post, though their faces were not visible.
Just two days earlier, Stokes was busy showering Ballerini with affection online: For her 32nd birthday, he shared a carousel of loved-up snaps and gushed, ‘Although you keep saying you’re not excited for 32, id say I’m lookin forward to more of this. happy birthday my love’
Stokes’ birthday carousel from Friday featured candid snaps of the couple
The pair first popped up on the public radar in early 2023, when the Outer Banks star shared a photo of them getting cozy at football game in California; (seen in April 2024)
Around the same time, Stokes praised Ballerini as a ‘great person,’ stating on Today, ‘I truthfully think when you find somebody who’s not just somebody you love and adore, but is also your best friend, you’ve kind of got the best of both worlds.
‘And she’s not just a great person, but everything that you see—whether it be on social media or when she’s on stage—is exactly the person she is when she’s not doing those things.’
In May, Ballerini spoke candidly with Elle about her 2022 divorce from Morgan Evans.
‘I don’t ever want to be a poster child for divorce,’ said the star. ‘It’s been three years now. It’s simply not in the forefront of my life anymore.
‘But I always make sure when these women come up to me, my first reaction is never, “Oh my God, congratulations!” It’s like, ‘”Are you okay?” Because just like it needs to be destigmatized, I also don’t think it should be celebrated or glamorized.’
That same month, while on tour in Hollywood, Florida, Ballerini cut a show short after fans began shouting insults about her ex.
‘Seriously, we’re three years past it, everything’s fine now,’ she told the crowd. ‘I sing the song for you now, it’s not about me anymore, please.’
