Kelsea Ballerini isn’t concerned with generating clickbait.
After the “I Quit Drinking” singer’s ex-boyfriend Chase Stokes condemned social media users who criticized her new song “Emerald City”—with some listeners theorizing that it was about his Outer Banks costar and former girlfriend Madelyn Cline—she issued her own message in defense of her artistry.
“I write songs to relate to,” Kelsea told fans while discussing the track at her Mount Pleasant Experience pop-up concert in Nashville Nov. 17, per People, “not to make a point on the internet.”
As she wrapped up her set, where she performed songs from her new EP Mount Pleasant, the 32-year-old couldn’t hide her emotions while delivering a heartfelt message to her fans.
“Thanks for embracing the not-so-glittery parts of me over the last few years,” she went on. “I know that I'm the luckiest to be able to have all these very big feelings and be like, ‘I need to put it in music or I will combust.’”
Following the release of Kelsea’s EP on Nov. 14, fans speculated that the lyrics of “Emerald City” were about the singer comparing herself to Madelyn, whom Chase dated from 2020 to 2021. But when the chatter made its way to the comment section of one of Kelsea’s TikTok videos, the actor felt the need to speak out.
“These comments are f--king weird,” he wrote. “Grow up.”
While Kelsea’s rep confirmed her breakup with Chase, 32, in September after three years of dating, the former couple sparked rumors of a reconciliation after stepping out together in Croatia earlier this month. While neither party has addressed their current relationship status, the country star previously asked for privacy following their split.
“CC: speculators, ‘sources’, and hidden cameras outside the hair salon,” she captioned a video posted to TikTok in September. “Let us be. Please.”
For a deeper dive into Kelsea and Chase’s romantic history, keep reading.
December 2022: Shooting Her Shot
Kelsea 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.'"
December 2022: Shooting Her Shot
Their romance blossomed after that first DM, which Kelsea shared in September 2023.
January 2023: Romance Rumors
The two huddled up to watch the University of Georgia dominate Texas Christian University at the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship in California.
January 2023: First Date Nerves
In 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 Cuteness
Chase shared a pic of himself and Kelsea showing some PDA.
April 2023: Red Carpet Debut
The pair officially hard launched their pairing, stepping out as a couple at the CMT Music Awards in Texas.
April 2023: Broadway Baby
Days later, the duo attended the premiere party for the Broadway musical Shucked at New York City's Capitale.
May 2023: Hometown Visit
Chase joined Kelsea on a trip to her hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.
July 2023: PDA Alert
The two attended Armani Beauty's ACQUA DI GIO and Gen A celebration in Malibu, Calif.
July 2023: The Sweetest Surprise
Chase shocked Kelsea when he unexpectedly greeted her at the airport, with both stars posting video and photos from their adorable reunion.
August 2023: Ciao Bella
The couple only had eyes for one another at a Venice Film Festival event.
August 2023: NYC Date Night
While 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."
September 2023: Birthday Love
To 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."
September 2023: Red Hot
Making it a red-letter day, the pair celebrated Kelsea's birthday by coordinating on the carpet at the 2023 MTV VMAs.
September 2023: VMAs PDA
And, yes, they shared a birthday kiss.
September 2023: Couple's Selfie
Kelsea unveiled this pic on Chase's 31st birthday days later.
September 2023: A Black Tie Affair
Kelsea 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.
September 2023: All Smiles
Kelsea shared this behind-the-scenes look from the event.
November 2023: Loving Like They Mean It
Kelsea planted a smooch on Chase's cheek at the CMA Awards in November 2023.
November 2023: Sex Confession
Kelsea 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."
January 2024: Chase's Anniversary Post
"One year of lovin you," the actor wrote. "P.s. told ya I wouldn’t embarrass you."
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."
January 2024: Happy Anniversary
A year after calling dibs on each other's hearts, they celebrated their love.
January 2024: Watching the Sunset
Kelsea shared this romantic pic from their anniversary celebration.
May 2024: In Full Bloom
Kelsea 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.
September 2024: Red Carpet Date Night
Kelsea joined her boyfriend at the premiere of his Netflix movie Uglies.
February 2025: Hitting the Right Notes
She 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.
September 2025: Break Up
After nearly three years together, the duo officially called it quits on their relationship.