Kelsea Ballerini Surprises Fans With A Peace-Preserving Update

Kelsea Ballerini is stepping into a new season of calm, choosing to keep her private life out of the public eye after her breakup with Chase Stokes.

The singer gave fans a rare look at how she’s doing during a Q&A on social media, where she shared that she's in a steady, happy place, while focusing on her upcoming Australia tour and the holidays.

She also reminded fans that anything about her personal life should only come directly from her, as she protects her peace.

Kelsea Ballerini surprised fans on Monday when she shared a rare personal update during an Instagram Story Q&A.

After a fan asked, “How are YOU?!? You heal a lot of us, what do YOU need?”, she responded with a sunlit photo of herself smiling by the water.

Ballerini added, “Thank you for saying this and asking.” She then explained, “I’m in a steady and happy place right now, truly excited for this Australia tour and the holidays.”

However, her biggest message came next, as she asked fans for space.

“If I had one favor, it would be honoring that I’m trying to make my personal life personal for now. Unless it comes from me, it’s not from me. And that is really important in protecting my peace right now.”

Her words instantly caught attention, especially as rumors continue to swirl around how things are with Stokes.

Kelsea Ballerini’s peaceful update came a few days after Stokes took to social media to share cryptic messages.

As The Blast reported, he posted two emotional Instagram Stories on November 20 that seemingly alluded to the fact that he was done with the 32-year-old for good.

First, he wrote, “Don’t believe the media. I’m blocked, I did nothing wrong.” He added, “Sorry, I tried.”

The two stars aren’t following each other on Instagram, which only made things worse.

In a second post, he made his message clearer, writing, “I’m sorry for those who believed in us.” He continued, “It is what it is. Onwards and upwards.”

While Stokes’ post was unexpected, it wasn’t surprising, as previous reports confirmed that the duo had actually split in September after nearly three years together.

Nearly two months after reports of their breakup hit the headlines, Ballerini and Stokes were spotted together.

An onlooker saw them at Kiba Smash Burger in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on November 7.

According to the eyewitness, they were holding hands at the table and speaking in close proximity.

After leaving the restaurant, the two walked together hand in hand towards Old Town. The witness added, “They looked very cute.”

Shortly before their outing, Ballerini and Stokes also spent some time together at the Cannonball Restaurant and Bar near Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle.

According to a report from The Blast, the former lovebirds appeared to be having the time of their lives while enjoying their meal.

An eyewitness close to the venue also described Stokes as “nice,” adding that the 33-year-old took pictures with fans outside the venue.

However, despite the two outings, Stokes’ posts seemed to confirm that their relationship had ended.

Although fans loved them as a couple, those close to Ballerini and Stokes revealed the relationship had been facing real pressure.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, an insider shared, “They’re two adults who gave it their all and tried to do everything they could to make it work, but ultimately couldn’t. It happens.”

The pair’s romance started in January 2023 when the “Outer Banks” star shared a cozy photo of them at a Georgia vs. TCU game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Eventually, after teasing their relationship in various interviews, they went public in April 2023 at the CMT Awards and kept their bond strong even while traveling.

In September 2024, Stokes revealed one of the secrets to his strong bond with Ballerini. The actor shared that he never went more than three weeks without seeing her.

Stokes noted that they took things as far as showing up for each other in another country if need be.

He admitted their love took work, saying, “It’s not always easy, and it’s not always convenient.”

Months before their breakup, Kelsea Ballerini was open about how her view of love had changed.

In a PEOPLE cover story earlier this year, she explained, “I look at love really practically now, and somehow it’s my favorite version of it.”

The “Miss Me More” crooner shared that she didn’t really have an example of what a solid relationship looked like when she was growing up.

Ballerini described her new version of love as “steady” and “human,” adding, “We work on it.”

She even said that therapy became part of the process, explaining that being willing to put in the work for each other and individually created a new kind of connection for her.