A Love Story Cut Short
Country music star Kelsea Ballerini and Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes have reportedly parted ways for the second and final time, concluding a nearly three-year relationship that a source close to the singer described as uniquely deep and intimate.
Before the split, Ballerini, 32, genuinely believed that Stokes, 33, was 'the one', according to an insider who spoke to Us Weekly. The source revealed that the singer had never experienced a love like this before, noting that Stokes was the type of man who couldn't take his eyes off her and was more committed than any of her previous partners.
A Rocky Road to the End
The relationship, however, eventually became 'so rocky and toxic' that Ballerini took the decisive step of blocking Stokes on Instagram. The actor confirmed this publicly in a cryptic post last Thursday, stating, 'I'm blocked, I did nothing wrong. Sorry. I tried.' He followed this with a message to their supporters, saying, 'I'm sorry for those who believed in us. It is what it is. Onwards and upwards.'
This was not the first rupture for the couple. They initially split in September, with reports at the time citing frequent arguments. Surprisingly, they were photographed reconciling affectionately in Scotland and Croatia just weeks later. A source later revealed that Stokes was 'heartbroken' over this latest break-up, describing their time together as 'nonstop ups and downs.'
Musical Clues and Career Moves
The pair first connected virtually on December 1, 2022, a period that came shortly after Ballerini finalised her divorce from Australian country singer Morgan Evans after four years of marriage.
Fans have been quick to draw connections between Ballerini's art and her personal life. Her new six-track EP is named 'Mount Pleasant', which is also the town in South Carolina where Stokes films Outer Banks. Furthermore, her new single, '587', appears to reference their matching Virgo tattoos with the lyrics: 'I heard you covered up your tattoo / It's probably time I covered mine too.'
On the professional front, Ballerini is scheduled to perform on December 6 at the ICC Sydney Theatre in Australia. She is also nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album for her record Patterns, with the awards ceremony airing on February 1.
Meanwhile, Stokes, who boasts 13.4 million social media followers, remains busy with his acting career and influencer partnerships with brands like Ford and Omega. He and his co-star ex, Madelyn Cline, recently intervened in an on-set incident in Croatia and will reprise their roles for the fifth and final season of Outer Banks next year.
