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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 a popular American country pop singer and songwriter. She is known for her catchy songs and has been nominated for five Grammy Awards. Kelsea started gaining fame in the 2010s. She received special honors like the Gene Weed Milestone Award and the Rising Star Award from Billboard magazine.

Kelsea began writing songs when she was a child. In 2014, she signed a music contract with Black River Entertainment. She then released her first album, The First Time. Her second album, Unapologetically, came out in 2017. These albums featured seven songs that made it onto the top country music charts.

Kelsea has had five songs reach number one on the Country Airplay chart. Her very first single, "Love Me Like You Mean It", hit number one. This made her the first female artist since Carrie Underwood in 2006 to have her first song top that chart. Her next two singles, "Dibs" and "Peter Pan", also reached number one. This made her the first female country artist since Wynonna Judd to have her first three singles go to number one.

In 2020, Kelsea released her third album, Kelsea, and an acoustic version called Ballerini. Her song "Half of My Hometown" with Kenny Chesney won two Country Music Association Awards. Her fourth album, Subject to Change, was released in 2022. In 2023, she released an EP (Extended Play) called Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. Her fifth album, Patterns, came out in late 2024.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Kelsea Ballerini grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her dad, Ed, used to be a sales manager for a country radio station. Her mom, Carla, worked in marketing for a Bible publishing company. Kelsea is an only child.

She started taking dance lessons when she was three years old and continued for ten years. She also sang in her church and school choirs. Kelsea wrote her first song for her mom when she was 12. Three years later, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, a big city for country music. She went to high school in Knoxville and Franklin, Tennessee, and then attended Lipscomb University for two years before focusing on her music career.

Music Career Highlights

First Albums and Chart-Topping Hits (2014–2016)

Kelsea Ballerini Country Artist 3 (cropped)
Ballerini in 2014

When Kelsea was 19, she signed a deal with Black River Entertainment. In late 2014, she released her first single, "Love Me Like You Mean It". It quickly appeared on the Country Airplay chart. She also released a short album (EP) called Kelsea Ballerini that November.

Kelsea was recognized as one of CMT's Next Women of Country in 2014. She performed for the first time at the famous Grand Ole Opry on February 14, 2015. On May 19, 2015, her first full album, The First Time, was released.

Her first single, "Love Me Like You Mean It", became number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in July 2015. This was a big deal because Kelsea was the first solo female country artist since Carrie Underwood in 2006 to have her first single reach number one. She also became only the fifth solo female country artist to have her first two singles hit number one when "Dibs" topped the chart.

The third single from the album, "Peter Pan", was released in March 2016. It reached number one on both the Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts in September. This made Kelsea the first solo female country artist to top both charts at the same time. It also meant she was the first solo female to have her first three singles go to number one since Wynonna Judd in 1992. The album's fourth single, "Yeah Boy", came out in October 2016.

Unapologetically and New Experiences (2017–2019)

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

In 2017, Kelsea was named to Forbes magazine's "30 Under 30 – Music" list. She also received two nominations at the Academy of Country Music Awards. In June 2017, she released "Legends", the first single from her second album. Her second album, Unapologetically, was released on November 3. It reached number three on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart.

In 2018, Kelsea worked with the EDM-pop group The Chainsmokers on a song called "This Feeling". They even performed it at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Kelsea also became a coach on the 15th season of The Voice. She coached contestants who didn't get a chair turn in a special online series called The Comeback Stage. In December 2018, Unapologetically was nominated for Best Country Album at the Grammy Awards.

On March 5, 2019, Kelsea was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, a very special honor in country music. Carrie Underwood officially welcomed her on April 16, 2019. Kelsea then went on her "Miss Me More Tour" to support her album, and many of her shows sold out!

Kelsea and Ballerini (2019–2021)

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

In July 2019, Kelsea announced that her third album was finished. On September 6, 2019, she released the first single from it, "Homecoming Queen?". This song was her highest debut on the Country Airplay chart at the time.

On January 20, 2020, Kelsea confirmed her third album would be self-titled, Kelsea, and would be released on March 20, 2020. The album included collaborations with Kenny Chesney and Halsey.

On September 2, Kelsea announced a special companion album called Ballerini. It featured acoustic, stripped-down versions of the songs from Kelsea. This album was released on September 11, 2020. Kelsea described Ballerini as "emotional, vulnerable and soft," while Kelsea showed her "bold and effervescent" side.

In 2021, Kelsea temporarily filled in for Kelly Clarkson as a coach on The Voice. She also co-hosted the 2021 CMT Music Awards and won an award there. Kelsea joined the Jonas Brothers on their "Remember This" tour as an opening act. Her first book of poetry, Feel Your Way Through, was released in November 2021.

Recent Releases and TV Appearances (2022–Present)

In March 2022, Kelsea announced her song "Heartfirst", which was released on April 8, 2022. This song was the first single from her fourth album, Subject to Change. She performed "Heartfirst" for the first time while co-hosting the 2022 CMT Music Awards. The album, which included a song with Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce, was released on September 23, 2022. "Heartfirst" was nominated for a Grammy Award.

In February 2023, Kelsea released her short film and EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. She performed songs from the EP, "Blindsided" and "Penthouse", on Saturday Night Live.

In June 2024, it was announced that Kelsea Ballerini will be a coach on the 27th season of The Voice, which will air in spring 2025.

Patterns and Acting Debut (2024–Present)

On June 28, 2024, Kelsea released a song called "Cowboys Cry Too" with folk-pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan. This was the first single from her fifth album. On August 8, 2024, she announced her fifth album would be called Patterns, and it was released on October 25, 2024.

In September 2024, it was shared that Kelsea Ballerini will make her acting debut in a TV show called Doctor Odyssey.

Musical Influences

Kelsea Ballerini has been inspired by both pop and country music artists. She grew up listening to pop music and didn't know much about country music at first. She mentions Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, NSYNC, and Hilary Duff as early pop influences. Justin Bieber also inspired her early on.

Kelsea discovered country music after hearing "Stupid Boy" by Keith Urban. After that, she started listening to albums by Taylor Swift, Sugarland, and Dixie Chicks. She credits Taylor Swift's first album for introducing her to country music. Kelsea also says Shania Twain is her biggest influence. She has performed songs by Alison Krauss and even sang with Krauss at an awards show 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, Kelsea started dating Australian country singer Morgan Evans. They got engaged on Christmas Day 2016 and were married on December 2, 2017, in Mexico. On August 29, 2022, Kelsea announced that she and Morgan were getting a divorce. Their divorce was finalized in November 2022.

In February 2023, it was confirmed that Kelsea was dating Chase Stokes, an actor from the TV show Outer Banks. They reportedly started dating in January 2023.

Kelsea attended Central High School in Knoxville. She was at the school during a shooting incident in 2008. She has shared that she experiences post-traumatic stress disorder because of that 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

Year Show Role 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 Herself /Co-host Alongside Morgan Evans
2017–2019 CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock Herself /Co-host 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 Herself Team Kelly Battle Advisor
Songland Herself Episode: "Kelsea Ballerini"
Trisha's Southern Kitchen Herself 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 Herself 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

See also

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