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Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini performing at Red Rocks Amphitheater 2 (cropped) (cropped).jpg
Ballerini performing in September 2021
Background information
Birth name Kelsea Nicole Ballerini
Born (1993-09-12) September 12, 1993 (age 31)
Mascot, Tennessee, U.S.
Origin Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active 2014–present
Labels Black River

Kelsea Nicole Ballerini (born September 12, 1993) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. A five-time Grammy Award nominee, she began having success in the 2010s, being honored with the Gene Weed Milestone Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Rising Star Award at the Billboard Women in Music.

She began songwriting as a child and signed a contract with Black River Entertainment in 2014, releasing her debut studio album, The First Time, and her second one Unapologetically, followed in 2017. The two albums account for seven songs on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. She has five No. 1 singles on the latter, starting with her debut single "Love Me Like You Mean It", which made her the first female artist to send a debut single to the top of that chart since Carrie Underwood in 2006. It was followed by "Dibs" and "Peter Pan", whose peaks also made her the first female country artist to send her first three singles to the top of that chart since Wynonna Judd.

Her third studio album, Kelsea, and a counterpart acoustic album, Ballerini, were both released in 2020. The collaboration "Half of My Hometown" with Kenny Chesney garnered two Country Music Association Awards. Her fourth studio album, Subject to Change was released in 2022. She followed that release with her second EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, in 2023. She released her fifth album, Patterns, in late 2024.

Early life

Ballerini grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her father, Ed, a former sales manager for a country radio station, is of part Italian descent. Her mother, Carla, has worked in marketing for Thomas Nelson Bible publishing and a sponsorship company. She is an only child. She started taking dance lessons at Premiere Dance Studio in Seymour, Tennessee when she was three and stopped ten years later. She sang in the church and school choirs. She wrote her first song at 12 for her mother and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, three years later. She attended Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee; Centennial High School in Franklin, Tennessee; and then Lipscomb University for two years until she pursued a musical career.

Career

2014–2016: Self-titled EP and The First Time

Kelsea Ballerini Country Artist 3 (cropped)
Ballerini in 2014

At 19, she signed a deal with Black River Entertainment. In late 2014, she released her debut single "Love Me Like You Mean It", which debuted on the Country Airplay chart in October 2014. She released a self-titled extended play for the label in November. She was named one of CMT's Next Women of Country in 2014. She performed for the first time at the Grand Ole Opry on February 14, 2015, and sang "Love Me Like You Mean It". On May 19, 2015, Ballerini's debut album The First Time was released through Black River. For the chart dated July 4, 2015, "Love Me Like You Mean It", the album's first single, reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making Ballerini the first solo female country music artist to score a number one hit with her debut single since Carrie Underwood did so with "Jesus, Take the Wheel" in 2006, and only the eleventh in history to achieve the feat. Ballerini also became only the fifth solo female country music artist to score back-to-back number one hits with her first two singles when "Dibs" reached the top of the Country Airplay chart and the first to do it since Jamie O'Neal in 2001. The album's third single, "Peter Pan", was released to country radio on March 21, 2016. "Peter Pan" reached number one on both the Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts in September, making Ballerini the first solo female country music artist to top both country music charts simultaneously. This achievement also made her the first solo female to send her first three singles to number one since Wynonna Judd accomplished the same feat in 1992. The album's fourth single, "Yeah Boy", was released to country radio on October 10, 2016.

2017–2019: Unapologetically, coaching The Voice, and joining the Grand Ole Opry

Kelsea Ballerini in concert in 2017
Kelsea Ballerini in concert in 2017

In early 2017, Ballerini was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 – Music list at number two. In 2017, Ballerini received two Academy of Country Music Award nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year for "Peter Pan." In June 2017, Ballerini released "Legends" as the first single from her second studio album. On November 3, she released her second album, titled Unapologetically. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart and number seven on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, making it her highest charting album on both charts.

The second single from the album, "I Hate Love Songs", was released in March. In September 2018, she announced that she would be releasing a deluxe edition of the album with four new tracks. On September 18, 2018, EDM-pop duo The Chainsmokers released a song titled "This Feeling" featuring Ballerini, which later performed at the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in November. The third and final single from Unapologetically, "Miss Me More", was released in October 2018. In October, she provided vocals on her husband Morgan Evans' song "Dance With Me". Ballerini joined the 15th season of The Voice as the fifth coach. She coached six contestants who did not get a chair turn during The Blinds, in a new round called The Comeback Stage. The Comeback Stage was a digital companion series to the show. In October 2018, Ballerini released the song "We Were Like". In December 2018, Unapologetically received a nomination for Best Country Album at the 61st annual Grammy Awards.

On March 5, 2019, Ballerini was invited by Little Big Town to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. On April 16, 2019, she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Carrie Underwood. Ballerini embarked on the Miss Me More Tour in support of Unapologetically in April 2019. The tour was a success, with Ballerini selling out multiple dates. In June 2019, Ballerini was a guest on the NBC competition show Songland and released the song "Better Luck Next Time".

2019–2021: Kelsea and Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini performing at Red Rocks Amphitheater 2021 4 (cropped)
Kelsea Ballerini performing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2021

In July 2019, Ballerini confirmed in an Instagram post that work on her third studio album was complete. On September 6, 2019, Ballerini released the first single off of her then upcoming third album, titled "Homecoming Queen?" The song debuted at number 22 on the Country Airplay chart, making it Ballerini's highest debut on the chart to date. On November 8, Ballerini released the promotional single "Club". Ballerini confirmed on January 20, 2020, that the album is self-titled (Kelsea) and was released March 20, 2020. The announcement coincided with the release of a second promotional single, "LA". On February 28, she released the single "Hole in the Bottle" (stylized in all lowercase) and announced the tracklist for Kelsea including "Half of my Hometown" featuring Kenny Chesney and "The Other Girl" featuring Halsey.

On September 2, Ballerini announced she would be releasing a counterpart album to Kelsea, titled Ballerini, featuring stripped-down versions of the songs. It was released September 11, 2020. The stripped-down version of "Club" was released alongside the album announcement. She described Ballerini as "emotional, vulnerable and soft" while Kelsea showed her "bold and effervescent" side. As of October 16, 2020, Kelsea and Ballerini can be purchased physically as a double album, exclusively from Target.

In 2021, Ballerini temporarily filled in for Kelly Clarkson as a coach during Season 20 of The Voice. She co-hosted the 2021 CMT Music Awards with Kane Brown, where she won the award for CMT Performance of the Year. In May, it was announced she would be an opening act on the Jonas Brothers' Remember This tour which began in August. Her debut book of poetry, Feel Your Way Through, was released on November 16, 2021.

2022–2024: Subject to Change, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, and The Voice

In March 2022 Ballerini announced that "Heartfirst" would be released April 8, 2022. The song serves as the first single from her fourth studio album, Subject to Change. While co-hosting during the 2022 CMT Music Awards, Ballerini performed the song for the first time. The music video for the song premiered July 7, 2022. On July 15, 2022, a promotional single, "Love is a Cowboy" was released along with the official music video. The album features a collaboration, "You're ..., Go Home", with Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce. The album was released on September 23, 2022. In November 2022, "Heartfirst" was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. On December 5, 2022, "If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)", was released as the album's second single. On February 13, 2023, Ballerini announced that her short film and EP Rolling Up the Welcome Mat would be released the next day. Promoting the EP, she performed "Blindsided" and "Penthouse" on the March 5, 2023, episode of Saturday Night Live.

On June 5, 2024, it was announced that Ballerini would be featured as a coach on the 27th season of The Voice which is set to air spring 2025.

2024–present: Patterns

On June 28, 2024, Ballerini released a collaboration with folk-pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan called “Cowboys Cry Too," the first single from her fifth studio album. On August 8, 2024, she announced her fifth studio album would be called Patterns, and that the song "Sorry Mom" would be released the following day. The album was released on October 25, 2024.

In September 2024, it was announced that Ballerini will make her acting debut in a guest role on the upcoming ABC series Doctor Odyssey.

Influences

Ballerini has been influenced by artists in both the pop music and country music fields. Originally influenced by pop music, Ballerini states "I grew up on top 40 pop. I didn't know what country music was, which is so funny because I grew up on a farm in East Tennessee." Ballerini lists Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, NSYNC, and Hilary Duff among these early artists influencing her. Ballerini also cites Justin Bieber as an early pop musical inspiration. It was not until Ballerini heard "Stupid Boy" by Keith Urban that she decided to delve deeper into country music by listening to albums by Taylor Swift, Sugarland, and Dixie Chicks. She credited Swift's self-titled debut studio album for introducing her to country music. Ballerini also cites Shania Twain as her greatest influence. She has also performed songs originally recorded by Alison Krauss and sang "Ghost in This House" alongside Krauss at the CMT Artists of the Year Awards in 2018.

Personal life

Morgan And Kelsea CMC Awards 2016
Morgan Evans and Ballerini during a Planet Country interview on the CMC Awards red carpet in March 2016 around the time they began dating; they hosted the show in Brisbane, Australia

In March 2016, Ballerini began dating Australian country singer Morgan Evans. They were engaged on Christmas Day 2016 and married on December 2, 2017 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. On August 29, 2022, Ballerini announced that she and Evans were divorcing. On November 3, 2022, it was revealed that Ballerini and Evans had reached a settlement, and their divorce was finalized on November 15, 2022.

In February 2023, it was confirmed that Ballerini was dating Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes. The couple reportedly began dating in January 2023.

Ballerini attended Central High School in Knoxville and was at the school during the 2008 shooting. She said that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the experience.

Discography

Studio albums

  • The First Time (2015)
  • Unapologetically (2017)
  • Kelsea (2020)
  • Subject to Change (2022)
  • Patterns (2024)

Awards and nominations

Award Year Work Category Result Ref.
Academy of Country Music Awards 2016 New Female Vocalist of the Year Herself Won
Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2017 Gene Weed Milestone Award Won
Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
"Peter Pan" Video of the Year Nominated
2018 Herself Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
"Legends" Video of the Year Nominated
2020 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated
2021 Nominated
2022 "Half of My Hometown" (with Kenny Chesney) Music Event of the Year Nominated
2023 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated
2024 Herself Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good) Album of the Year Nominated
American Music Awards 2015 Herself Favorite Country Female Artist Nominated
2016 Nominated
2018 Nominated
Billboard Music Awards 2018 Herself Top Female Country Artist Nominated
Billboard Women in Music 2015 Herself Rising Star Won
Country Music Association Awards 2015 Herself Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
New Artist of the Year Nominated
2016 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
New Artist of the Year
2017 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2018 Nominated
2019 Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2021 "Half of My Hometown" (with Kenny Chesney) Musical Event of the Year Won
Video of the Year Won
2022 Single of the Year Nominated
2023 Herself Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat Album of the Year Nominated
2024 Herself Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
"Cowboys Cry Too" Musical Event of the Year Nominated
CMT Music Awards 2015 "Love Me Like You Mean It" Breakthrough Video of the Year Nominated
2017 "Peter Pan" Video of the Year Nominated
Female Video of the Year Nominated
"You're Still the One/Any Man of Mine/Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"
(with Meghan Trainor and Jill Scott)
CMT Performance of the Year Nominated
2019 "Miss Me More" Video of the Year Nominated
Female Video of the Year Nominated
2020 "Homecoming Queen?" Video of the Year Nominated
Female Video of the Year Nominated
"Graveyard" CMT Performance of the Year Nominated
2021 "Hole in the Bottle" Video of the Year Nominated
Female Video of the Year Nominated
"The Other Girl" (with Halsey) CMT Performance of the Year Won
2022 "Half of My Hometown" (with Kenny Chesney) Video of the Year Nominated
Collaborative Video of the Year Nominated
"I Quit ..." (with Paul Klein) CMT Performance of the Year Nominated
2024 "If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)" Video of the Year Nominated
"Penthouse" Female Video of the Year Nominated
"If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)" (live from 2023 CMT Music Awards) CMT Performance of the Year Nominated
Grammy Awards 2017 Herself Best New Artist Nominated
2019 Unapologetically Best Country Album Nominated
2023 "Heartfirst" Best Country Solo Performance Nominated
2024 Rolling Up the Welcome Mat Best Country Album Nominated
2025 "Cowboys Cry Too" (with Noah Kahan) Best Country Duo/Group Performance Pending
Kids' Choice Awards 2017 Herself Favorite New Artist Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2017 Herself Best New Artist Won
Best New Country Artist Won
2023 "Half of My Hometown" (with Kenny Chesney) Best Collaboration Nominated
Country Song of the Year Nominated
New Music Awards 2024 Herself Country Female Artist of the Year Pending
"If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)" Country Song of the Year
Pending
People's Choice Awards 2017 Herself Favorite Country Female Artist of the Year Nominated
2019 Country Artist of the Year Nominated
2020 Nominated
2022 Nominated
2024 Nominated
People's Choice Country Awards 2023 Herself The People’s Artist of the Year Nominated
The Female Artist of the Year Nominated
The Social Country Star of the Year Nominated
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat The Album of the Year Nominated
2024 Herself The Female Artist of the Year Nominated
"Cowboys Cry Too" The Crossover Song of 2024 Nominated
"Sorry Mom" The Storyteller Song of 2024 Nominated
Radio Disney Music Awards 2017 Herself Breakout Artist of the Year Nominated
Country Favorite Artist Won
"Peter Pan" Country Favorite Song Won
"Yeah Boy" Best Crush Song Nominated
2018 Herself Country Favorite Artist Won
"Legends" Country Favorite Song Won
Teen Choice Awards 2016 Herself Choice Music: Country Artist Nominated
"Peter Pan" Choice Music: Country Song Nominated
2017 Herself Choice Country Artist Nominated
2019 Nominated
"Miss Me More" Choice Country Song Nominated

Tours

Headlining
  • The First Time Tour (2016)
  • The Unapologetically Tour (2018)
  • The Miss Me More Tour (2019)
  • Heartfirst Tour (2022–2023)
  • Kelsea Ballerini - Live On Tour (2025)
Supporting
  • Wheels Up Tour (2015) with Lady A
  • Just the Right Kind of Crazy Tour (2015) with Dan + Shay
  • Rhythm and Roots Tour (2016) with Rascal Flatts
  • Home Team Tour (2017) with Thomas Rhett
  • You Look Good World Tour (2017) with Lady A
  • Graffiti U World Tour (2018) with Keith Urban
  • Meaning of Life Tour (2019) with Kelly Clarkson
  • Remember This Tour (2021) with Jonas Brothers
  • The Final Tour (2023) with The Judds
  • I Go Back Tour (2023) with Kenny Chesney

Television appearances

2024 Today Show Live Performance, Interview Notes
2015 Southern Charm Herself Performed and bid on cast member Craig Conover during date auction
2016 Greatest Hits Herself /Co-host Co-hosted with Arsenio Hall
2016 CMC Awards 2016 Alongside Morgan Evans
2017–2019 CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock Alongside Thomas Rhett
2018 The Voice Herself The Comeback Stage Coach
Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Herself/Performer Television special
Hell's Kitchen Herself VIP guest diner at the Red Team's chef's table; Episode: "Hot Potato"
2019 The Voice Team Kelly Battle Advisor
Songland Episode: "Kelsea Ballerini"
Trisha's Southern Kitchen Episode: "A Southern Heart-to-Heart with Kelsea Ballerini"
Brad Paisley Thinks He's Special Herself/Guest Alongside Brad Paisley, Jonas Brothers, Hootie & The Blowfish, Tim McGraw, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Carrie Underwood
2020 CMT Crossroads Herself Alongside Halsey
#KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall Television special
2021 The Voice Herself/Guest coach Subbing in for Kelly Clarkson who was under the weather during The Battles
Sesame Street Herself Season 51 Episode 32: "Family Day"
2021 –present CMT Music Awards Herself/Host 2021, 2023 cohost with Kane Brown, 2022 cohost with Brown and Anthony Mackie, 2024 solo host
2023 Saturday Night Live Herself/Musical guest Episode: "Travis Kelce/Kelsea Ballerini"
That's My Jam Herself/Musical guest Episode: "Jason Derulo & Nicole Scherzinger vs. Kelsea Ballerini & Julia Michaels"
Superfan Herself Episode: "Kelsea Ballerini"
2024 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "Drag Race Vegas Live! Makeovers"
Doctor Odyssey Lisa Episode: "I Always Cry at Weddings"
2025 The Voice Herself/Coach Season 27
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