Kelsea Ballerini exclusively told E! News that she would “never say never” to marrying boyfriend of two years Chase Stokes, adding that the two have “learned a lot” from their relationship.
Kelsea Ballerini has a different perspective on love songs these days.
Especially because so much of her new album PATTERNS—out Oct. 25—is inspired by her relationship with boyfriend of almost two years Chase Stokes. And when it comes to their future together, the “Love Me Like You Mean It” singer isn’t ruling out marriage.
“I would never say never to anything,” Kelsea exclusively told E! News cohost Keltie Knight. “Anything that I’ve said a hard no to in my life, I have come back and challenged myself on.”
Kelsea—who was previously married to Morgan Evans from 2017 to 2022—is keeping her focus “on the right now.”
“I’m happy,” the 31-year-old said, “and everything is as it should.” (For more from Kelsea, tune into E! News tonight, Oct. 24, at 11 p.m.)
Still, when it came to the music video for her single “First Rodeo,” it made sense to have the Outer Banks actor make a cameo alongside her.
“That song was really the first song that I wrote,” she explained, “that was true to, ‘Hey, I feel fragile, and I feel really nervous to open up my life and my heart again, but I really want to. Will you just take it slow with me?'”
And while she and Chase, 32, are often careful about how they blend their working worlds, she knew she wanted him to appear in the video, telling him, “‘Because your presence is in the song.'”
Hubert Vestil/Getty Images
“He’s such a pillar of this record and obviously of my life,” Kelsea gushed. “I feel like it was this beautiful ode to him and to us.”
More than anything, Kelsea is proud of the way that she and Chase have “been able to navigate our relationship for almost two years now.”
“We’ve both learned a lot from it,” she continued, “and we’ve both really challenged each other to become a better partner for each other, and also just for ourselves. We’re proper teammates now.”
Even when they’re focusing on their own projects, knowing that she has him and their dogs to go back to makes her “feel more like a superhuman.”
Kelsea Ballerini/Instagram
“I know that when I get to go home to home base, it’s right,” Kelsea shared, “and it’s safe. And it makes you feel powerful.”
And much of that power can be felt in her new album, with Kelsea telling E! that the record is a snapshot of her life as she enters her 30s.
“Whatever is gonna happen is gonna be OK,” she added. “And I can handle it. There’s peace and there’s joy in that.”
To see more of Kelsea and Chase’s love story unfold, keep reading.
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
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.'”
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
December 2022: Shooting Her Shot
Their romance blossomed after that first DM, which Kelsea shared in September 2023.
Instagram
January 2023: Romance Rumors
The two were photographed looking cozy at a football game.
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Instagram/Kelsea Ballerini
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.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT
April 2023: Award Show PDA
The two showcased their love on the CMAs red carpet.
Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images
April 2023: Broadway Baby
The twosome attended the premiere party for the Broadway musical Shucked at Capitale.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT
April 2023: Red Carpet Debut
The pair officially stepped out as a couple at the CMT Music Awards.
Instagram
May 2023: Hometown Visit
Chase joined Kelsea on a trip to her hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Armani beauty
July 2023: PDA Alert
The two attended Armani Beauty’s ACQUA DI GIO and Gen A celebration in Malibu, Calif.
Instagram/Chase Stokes
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.
Photo by Kristy Sparow/Variety via Getty Images
August 2023: Ciao Bella
The couple only had eyes for one another at a Venice Film Festival event.
Gotham/GC Images
August 2023: NYC Date Night
The two were spotted on a summer date in NYC, where the singer performed on TODAY.
“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.”
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
September 2023: Red Hot
The two appeared together at the 2023 MTV VMAs on Kelsea’s birthday.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV
September 2023: VMAs PDA
The two shared a kiss on the red carpet.
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
September 2023: Couple’s Selfie
Kelsea unveiled this pic on Chase’s 31st birthday days later.
Instagram/Kelsea Ballerini
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.”
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
September 2023: All Smiles
Kelsea shared this behind-the-scenes look from the event.
Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
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 on 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.
John Shearer/Getty Images for CMA
November 2023: Loving Like They Mean It
Kelsea planted a smooch on Chase’s cheek at the CMA Awards in November 2023.
Leah Puttkammer/FilmMagic
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.”
“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 him.
“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.”
Instagram / Chase Stokes
January 2024: Chase’s Anniversary Post
“One year of lovin you,” the actor wrote. “P.s. told ya I wouldn’t embarrass you.”
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
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.”
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
January 2024: Watching the Sunset
Kelsea shared this romantic pic on their first dating anniversary.
Instagram / Kelsea Ballerini
January 2024: Happy Anniversary
The two celebrated the anniversary of their first date.
Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix
September 2024: Red Carpet Date Night
Kelsea joined her boyfriend at the premiere of his Netflix movie Uglies.
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