Hollywood was caught off guard this week when country star Kelsea Ballerini and Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes decided to part ways.
The breakup came on Sunday, just two days after Stokes had been publicly declaring his love for her online, leaving fans stunned at how quickly the mood shifted from celebration to heartbreak.
From Birthday Love to Breakup News
On Friday, Stokes was busy celebrating Ballerini’s 32nd birthday with a heartfelt Instagram tribute, posting a series of affectionate photos and writing, “Happy birthday my love.”
By Sunday, however, their nearly three-year relationship was over.
Ballerini’s rep confirmed the split, with a source close to the couple explaining, “They gave it their all but ultimately couldn’t make it work. It happens.”
A Relationship That Started in the Spotlight
The pair first sparked romance rumors in early 2023 when Stokes shared a photo of them getting cozy at a football game in California.
What started as whispers quickly turned serious, with the couple making their red-carpet debut at the CMT Awards just a few months later.
By then, they had become one of Hollywood’s most surprising yet beloved couples.
Public Declarations of Love
Throughout their relationship, both stars openly celebrated each other.
Ballerini once revealed how much she loved Stokes’ pride in being with her, recalling how he posted about their relationship before they had even defined it.
“Even as a very independent woman, I loved when he just said, ‘This is us. Here we are,’” she shared in an interview last year.
Stokes was equally vocal, calling her not only the woman he loved but also his best friend.
“When you find somebody who’s both your partner and your best friend, you’ve got the best of both worlds,” he said during an appearance on Today.
Ballerini’s Past Heartache
The breakup comes a few years after Ballerini’s highly publicized divorce from fellow country singer Morgan Evans in 2022.
She has been candid about the challenges of divorce, explaining she doesn’t glamorize it but instead approaches it with compassion when fans bring it up.
Earlier this year, she even had to stop a concert when fans shouted negative remarks about her ex, reminding the crowd that she had long moved on.
“It’s been three years, and everything’s fine now,” she told them.
What Comes Next
For now, both Ballerini and Stokes seem to be focusing on moving forward separately.
Their relationship may not have lasted, but it left a mark on fans who admired how open and genuine the couple was throughout their time together.