Advertisement
Country singer Kelsea Ballerini and actor Chase Stokes have ended their relationship after nearly three years together. The news came just two days after Stokes posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute to Ballerini for her 32nd birthday. In his post, he shared photos of the two on date nights, at home, and even on a private plane, writing that he looked forward to more moments like those. Fans were surprised by the split, with many taking to social media expressing confusion and asking for answers.
Neither Kelsea nor Chase has publicly explained why they broke up. Sources close to the couple told PEOPLE that they had tried to make things work but ultimately couldn’t. One source said they “gave it their all” and “tried to do everything they could,” but in the end, it didn’t work out. Last year, Stokes had spoken about how much effort they put into their relationship despite busy schedules. In an interview, he said they made sure to show up for each other even when miles apart and that personal relationships required even more effort than their careers.
Ballerini has often shared her thoughts on love and relationships. In October 2024, she told Women’s Health that her album Patterns reflected the nuances of falling in love with Stokes. She also spoke to PEOPLE about how her past shaped her approach to romance, saying she now looks at love practically and appreciates it deeply, even though she didn’t have many examples of healthy relationships growing up.
The couple first sparked dating rumors in January 2023 and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about pairs. Their breakup marks the end of a high-profile relationship that fans had closely followed on social media and in interviews.