Grammy-nominated musician and former “The Voice” coach Kelsea Ballerini was the one to break things off with Chase Stokes after many difficult arguments, a source close to the former couple shared with Us Weekly. The source told the outlet that Ballerini “initiated the conversation” that led to the breakup, but she and Stokes acted like “mature adults and had the same understanding that they needed space.”
The source went on to explain that Ballerini’s split from the “Outer Banks” actor was the result of mounting tension in their relationship. “They had been arguing a lot recently, and their communication wasn’t great in the last month,” the source told Us Weekly. “They were both traveling so much and trying to juggle everything, and the arguments piled up.”
According to the source, the pair “were trying to make it work,” but ultimately decided that going their separate ways was best. “It was a hard split,” the insider added.
Kelsea Ballerini Saw a Future With Stokes Prior to Their Split
GettyAlthough Ballerini has already been married once, to Morgan Evans whom she divorced in 2022, she was not ruling out walking down the aisle with Stokes. The pair, who began dating in 2023, were quite serious about the future of their relationship.
“I would never say never to anything,” Ballerini revealed in an interview with E! News in October 2024. “Anything that I’ve said a hard no to in my life, I have come back and challenged myself on.”
In May of 2025, the singer shared with Jenna Bush Hager on “Today” how she and Stokes had been spending their alone time together. “Lots of laying in bed with red light masks on, ’cause I feel like that’s funny, it makes you hotter, I think, it’s ambitious to do,” Ballerini said.
The Couple Seemed Happy Just Days Before Breaking Up
Ballerini and Stokes’ split was confirmed on September 14, but two just days beforehand Stokes gushed over Ballerini in a sweet Instagram post. The carousel of photos, which as of this publication has not been deleted, was in honor of Ballerini’s birthday.
“Although you keep saying you’re not excited for 32, id say I’m lookin forward to more of this,” Stokes captioned the post, adding, “happy birthday my love ❤️.”
The pics the actor chose to showcase feature him and Ballerini looking as happy as ever, hanging out and being silly together and seeming very much in love.
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