Kelsea Ballerini facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kelsea Ballerini
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	Country country pop pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
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)

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

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 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 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

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

See also

In Spanish: Kelsea Ballerini para niños