Kelsea Ballerini Talks Similarities With BF Chase Stokes As She Declares 'Season Of Play'

Kelsea Ballerini is filled with love for her man.

After going through what she termed a "sh**storm" of a year, which saw the collapse of her five-year marriage to Morgan Evans in 2022, the country-pop singer has admitted that she is in a different space. Not only has she learned to extend grace to herself, but she has also become more enamored with her ongoing romance with Chase Stokes. 

Even though she has been in the limelight since the start of her music career in 2014, Ballerini is yet to come to terms with the introspection into her life by the public. Speaking about it in a new cover story with Stylecaster published on Monday, July 10, the "Peter Pan" vocalist stated:

"I've done this for a decade. I've done the work. But the eyeballs on the rest of my life is new, so I'm giving myself a lot of grace."

The extension of grace was essential for the "Heartfirst" hitmaker, who has learned many new things about herself in recent years. In her words:

"I always thought of myself as one thing, which was a glittery, palatable blonde that sings country music. I've realized over the last few years, as I've woken up to myself, and really stepped into my womanhood, that I'm really open to discovering more of myself. I'm in such a season of play right now."

Since her current season would be incomplete without the mention of Stokes, whom she was first romantically linked to in January, Ballerini could not help gushing:

"The thing that we've decided, and to each their own, is when you're with someone that you feel secure with and that you're proud to be with, why not share it?"

The "Better Luck Next Time" singer then explained that she and the "Outer Banks" actor had "very similar" attributes, including being Virgo. She also claimed they were "both Labrador Retrievers in human form" who did not require "too much conversation to be on the same page."

Fans had gotten a firsthand glimpse at the pair's connection when the "Just Married" artist surprised them with a spur-of-the-moment PDA during her recently concluded Heartfirst tour. As reported by The Blast, Ballerini had been performing the 'healed version' of her 2023 breakup song, "Penthouse," when she paused with a mischievous look.

After a brief moment of grinning sheepishly, she turned and ran toward the corner of the stage where an unsuspecting Stokes was watching the show. Once there, she hugged him and kissed his lips quickly before returning to continue her performance.

That temporary break in character was applauded by concertgoers and online in-laws when a clip of it surfaced on social media. Several fans clamored for the duo to get married as soon as possible, with one person pointing out, "The amount of shows he attends makes my heart swell so big for her; she deserves this."

Ballerini had previously marked a sweet milestone with Stokes when she took him to her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, and they visited some of the most significant places from her childhood. One such place the lovebirds visited was the CMT Music Awards nominee's high school, where they posed for a selfie on the soccer field.

The image showed the "One of Us Is Lying" alum sporting a baseball cap, a white graphic shirt, and black-rimmed sunglasses matching his woman's simple ensemble. While the "Sesame Street" guest star smiled without showing any teeth, her man threw up the peace sign behind her.

Across the pic, which she shared via her Instagram Story, the "Hell's Kitchen" VIP guest diner playfully referenced her man's "Outer Banks" character, writing: "Don't say it don't say it don't say it, BRINGITONHOMEJOHNB." A second photo showcased Ballerini standing akimbo as she overlooked the field alongside the text, "Go bobcats."

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show performer wrapped up the walk down memory with a meal and a snapshot of Litton's Market Restaurant & Bakery menu. "a heart filled 24 hours at home," she penned on the since-expired Story.