Kelsea Ballerini & Chase Stokes Split Linked To ‘Raging Jealousy’

Behind the former couple’s carefully curated online image, sources reveal that envy ultimately led to the breakdown of their nearly three-year relationship.

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes first confirmed their romance in April 2023 when they made their red carpet debut together at the CMT Music Awards. 

The country star had publicly suggested that their opposite schedules were to blame for why the two were rarely spotted together, pointing to his busy filming season with Outer Banks.

But behind the scenes, things were not nearly as harmonious. Insiders revealed the relationship started off strong but quickly shifted when Stokes grew increasingly suspicious of Ballerini’s independence. In the source’s words:

“Chase started getting jealous over every little thing. Every time she would be doing her own thing, he’d think she was flirting or up to no good.” 

The source added that while Ballerini wanted fun and a future, “they just would fall into disagreements and then his jealousy would kick in.” 

The Daily Mail reported that Ballerini’s career trajectory, often compared to Taylor Swift’s, may have fueled his insecurities. Ultimately, both decided it was better to walk away than continue fighting. 

On social media, there was nothing but affection and moments that had fans convinced they were the real deal. But the silence came quickly. After celebrating an anniversary, the steady stream of couple posts suddenly stopped, sparking online speculation.

Opinion pieces lit up with questions, while others dissected Ballerini’s talk about “finding peace” and her Paris trip, wondering if they were signs of a breakup.

Some believed they were simply “on the rocks.” Still, the pair pushed back on the gossip when they appeared together at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May, looking as close as ever.

By July, though, Ballerini admitted things had shifted. Speaking to Us Weekly, she confirmed the relationship was intact but hinted that change was unavoidable. “I think we’re two and a half years in, so it looks a lot different now than it did in the beginning.”

The duo spent months leaning into PDA-filled photo dumps to shut down talk that they were drifting apart. The Blast noted that Stokes even shared a heartfelt Instagram post for Ballerini’s 32nd birthday on September 12, 2025, writing:

“Although you keep saying you’re not excited for 32, I’d say I’m looking forward to more of this. Happy birthday, my love.”

But the public declarations were not enough to save them. Less than two days later, the couple called it quits, ending their nearly three-year relationship. 

A representative for Ballerini confirmed the breakup to PEOPLE, who shared that despite their efforts, the two decided to walk away. What once appeared picture-perfect had reached its end, leaving the public stunned that they could not make it work after such a very public show of love.

Ballerini and Stokes may have recently gone their separate ways, but just two years ago, the “Peter Pan” singer could not stop praising their bond. Back in 2023, she lit up when asked about their romance, describing him as someone who made her feel both proud and secure. 

The Blast highlighted how openly she spoke about their relationship during that time, showing a softer side of herself. In a Stylecaster cover story published on July 10, 2023, the country artist explained that sharing love publicly felt natural when it came to Stokes.

She said their personalities meshed easily, crediting their similar Virgo traits and joking that they were like “Labrador Retrievers in human form,” with a natural understanding of each other.

Ballerini did not just step into her new romance with Stokes quietly; she made a bold move by cutting digital ties with her ex-husband. The Blast notes that shortly after confirming her relationship with Stokes in 2023, Ballerini unfollowed Evans on Instagram, signaling a fresh start.

Her divorce from Evans, finalized in November 2022, ended a five-year marriage. Court documents show the pair had a prenup in place, and they agreed to split their assets evenly, including their Nashville property.

The breakup was not without drama. Just before she confirmed things with Stokes, Ballerini spoke on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, expressing her anger over Evans’ track “Over for You.” She claimed the song painted her as the villain while he walked away with half their shared home.