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Kelsea Ballerini and Outer Banks star Chase Stokes have ended their nearly three-year relationship, with a source telling Us Weekly that Ballerini was the one who initiated the split. According to the insider, the breakup followed a series of heated arguments and increasing tension in recent weeks.
"Kelsea initiated the conversation, and while it was incredibly difficult, they both agreed they needed space," the source revealed. "They acted like mature adults and had the same understanding that things weren't working."
The couple had been juggling busy schedules and constant travel, which reportedly strained their communication. "They were both trying to make it work, but their arguments just piled up," the insider added. "It was a hard split, but ultimately, they knew it was the right choice."
Ballerini, who finalized her divorce from fellow country singer Morgan Evans in 2022, had been open about her hopes for the future with Stokes. In an October 2024 interview with E! News, she hinted that marriage was not off the table. "I would never say never to anything," she said. "Anything I've said a hard no to, I've challenged myself on later."
As recently as May 2025, Ballerini spoke about the couple's private moments during an interview on Today, joking, "Lots of laying in bed with red light masks on, it's funny and ambitious."
The breakup was confirmed on September 14, just two days after Stokes posted a heartfelt birthday tribute to Ballerini on Instagram. "Although you keep saying you're not excited for 32, I'd say I'm looking forward to more of this," he captioned a carousel of cozy photos, ending with, "Happy birthday my love ❤️."
Following the announcement, Ballerini addressed speculation surrounding the split with a fiery TikTok video set to Ariana Grande's "Shut Up." She captioned the post, "CC: speculators, 'sources,' and hidden cameras outside the hair salon. Let us be. Please."
While neither has spoken publicly about the breakup, the source emphasized there's no animosity between them. "They deeply care about each other, but the timing just wasn't right," they said.
Ballerini and Stokes first met after she famously slid into his DMs in December 2022. Their whirlwind romance became a fan favorite, with many shocked by the sudden end. For now, both stars are focusing on their careers, and healing privately.
