Kelsea Ballerini Splits from Chase Stokes After Nearly Three Years

Lead Country pop star Kelsea Ballerini and Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes have parted ways after nearly three years of dating, their split confirmed by Ballerini’s representative to PEOPLE on September 14.

Nut Graf The couple-who first sparked romance rumors in January 2023 and publicly debuted at the 2023 CMT Awards-cited busy schedules and long-distance strains as key factors in their decision to end the relationship, underscoring the challenges of balancing high-profile careers.

Relationship Timeline

• Sparked dating rumors in January 2023 after a SoFi Stadium football game photo.
• Went public in April 2023 at the CMT Music Awards red carpet.
• Celebrated milestones-including birthday tributes and joint appearances at industry events-before recent speculation of a split.

Split Details

• A rep for Ballerini confirmed the breakup to PEOPLE on September 14, stating the pair “gave it their all and tried to do everything they could to make it work, but ultimately couldn’t”.
• The announcement follows Chase Stokes’s heartfelt Instagram tribute to Ballerini on her 32nd birthday two days earlier.
• Neither party has issued a public statement beyond the representative’s confirmation.

Career and Personal Impact

• Ballerini, who released her album Patterns in 2024, has drawn on her personal experiences-including this relationship-to inspire her songwriting.
• Stokes’s rising profile on Netflix’s Outer Banks has required extensive travel, contributing to the couple’s long-distance challenges.
• Both artists emphasized mutual respect in their statement, indicating they remain supportive teammates despite the split.

What’s Next

• Fans can expect Ballerini to channel her emotions into forthcoming music projects, as she has done in past heartbreak-inspired songs.
• Stokes is set to resume filming for Outer Banks Season 4 later this fall, with the actor previously noting the importance of personal sacrifices for career demands.