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Kelsea Ballerini Reflects on Ending Relationship with Chase Stokes
The country singer shares a message about unexpected endings and shedding old skins as she looks to the new Lunar New Year.
Feb. 18, 2026 at 11:39am
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Kelsea Ballerini got reflective as she looked at her last Lunar New Year cycle, which included the final end to her relationship with actor Chase Stokes. Ballerini shared a message on Instagram about the transformative nature of the past year, including "endings you didn't expect" and "lessons you didn't ask for." The message comes two weeks after it was confirmed that Ballerini and Stokes had ended their relationship again after previously rekindling their romance in December 2022.
Why it matters
Ballerini's message about endings and personal growth resonates with fans as she navigates the ups and downs of her high-profile relationship. The country singer has been open about her journey, providing insight into the challenges of maintaining a relationship in the public eye.
The details
Ballerini and Stokes first connected in December 2022 when the singer slid into the Outer Banks star's DMs. The two went on to have a whirlwind romance, making their red carpet debut in April 2023 and celebrating milestones like Ballerini's 30th birthday and their one-year anniversary. However, the couple split in September 2025 before reconciling in December of that year. They have now broken up again, with Ballerini alluding to the ups and downs of their relationship in her recent Instagram post.
- Ballerini shared her reflective message on February 16, 2026, ahead of the Lunar New Year.
- Ballerini and Stokes officially ended their relationship again in February 2026, just days after Ballerini had said they were in a good place.
The players
Kelsea Ballerini
A country singer-songwriter who has been open about the challenges of her relationship with actor Chase Stokes.
Chase Stokes
An actor known for his role in the Netflix series Outer Banks, who dated Kelsea Ballerini on-and-off for several years.
What they’re saying
“This year asked you to shed layers you didn't even realize you were still carrying. It brought endings you didn't expect, lessons you didn't ask for, and moments that tested your patience, strength, and faith. Growth was not loud. It was uncomfortable. It was quiet. It was internal.”
— Kelsea Ballerini
“Not everything that left was meant to stay. Not everything that hurt was meant to break you.”
— Kelsea Ballerini
The takeaway
Ballerini's reflective message about endings and personal growth during a challenging year resonates with fans, providing insight into the ups and downs of navigating a high-profile relationship in the public eye.
