Just weeks after reportedly rekindling their romance, country star Kelsea Ballerini and actor Chase Stokes appear to have called it quits once again, sending fans into a frenzy with a series of cryptic social media messages.
Cryptic Posts Fuel Speculation
The Outer Banks star, 33, sparked widespread speculation about their relationship status on Thursday when he shared several mysterious posts to his Instagram Story, which he later deleted. The timing raised eyebrows as Stokes was noticeably absent from Ballerini's side at Wednesday night's CMA Awards, where the 32-year-old singer delivered a powerful performance of her emotional new single.
While Stokes didn't directly name Ballerini in his since-deleted posts, he strongly alluded to relationship troubles. "Don't believe the media," he began. "I'm blocked, I did nothing wrong." The actor didn't specify who had blocked him or on which platform, but he added near the bottom of the post: "Sorry ❤️. I tried."
Social Media Fallout
Stokes continued his mysterious messaging in a follow-up Instagram Story post, writing in bold white lettering over a black backdrop: "I'm sorry for those who believed in us. It is what it is. Onwards and upwards."
Although Stokes quickly removed the posts, eagle-eyed fans had already captured screenshots and began dissecting every detail on social media. Many became convinced that Ballerini had indeed blocked Stokes on Instagram after noticing the couple were no longer following each other on the platform. Several fans interpreted Stokes' messages as official confirmation of another breakup between the pair.
The social media drama comes just days after Stokes defended Ballerini against online trolls who left "weird" comments under her recent TikTok promoting her song "People Pleaser," which she posted on Monday. In the comment section, fans had begun referencing Stokes and his Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline, 27, whom he famously dated before Ballerini.
"These comments are f***ing weird. Grow up," Stokes wrote, condemning the negative remarks.
On-Again, Off-Again Romance
This apparent split comes as particularly surprising news given that Us Weekly reported last week that despite breaking up weeks ago, the couple had "never really stopped" talking. The pair initially went their separate ways after two years of dating in September but had reportedly reconciled and were "back together" according to sources.
"[They] never really stopped being in touch after their brief split. They really picked up where they left off," a source revealed. The insider claimed Ballerini realised how much she "missed" the actor during their break, while Stokes "never wanted the break-up" and "always felt there was something between them."
Multiple sources had confirmed the reunion to Us Weekly, and the celebrity duo were spotted together near Edinburgh Castle in Scotland in October, with eyewitness Gemma Kennedy telling the publication they "seemed really happy and smiley" and were "very much loved-up and holding hands at the bar."
The couple began dating in January 2023 following Ballerini's divorce from fellow musician Morgan Evans. Before his relationship with Ballerini, Stokes dated his Outer Banks co-star Cline, though they split in 2021 after just over a year together.
