Kelsea Ballerini-Chase Stokes split: Surprising details reveal who made the first move in Instagram DMs

Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini have reportedly parted ways after nearly three years of dating, and just two days after he wrote her a loving birthday post. “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," a source close to the couple told PEOPLE.

The breakup wasn’t due to a lack of effort from both the “Outer Banks” star and the country singer, according to People. The two, who sparked dating rumours in January 2023, appeared to still be a couple on Friday, when Stokes wished Ballerini a happy 32nd birthday on Instagram.

Ballerini’s last Instagram post was on Thursday, when she posted a carousel of pics and memes without Stokes in them.


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Chase Stokes' loving message to Kelsea Ballerini

Chase Stokes penned a loving social media post to Kelsea to celebrate her 32nd birthday. "Although you keep saying you’re not excited for 32, id say I'm lookin forward to more of this,"

Chase, also 32, captioned an Instagram post, featuring a photo carousel of shots of the two of them out on date nights, cozy at home and goofing off on a private plane. "happy birthday my love," he added.

"Penthouse" singer Kelsea was previously married to country singer Morgan Evans for five years before the two divorced in 2022. Kelsea and Chase first fueled dating rumors in January 2023, when Chase subtly hinted at their relationship by sharing a faceless photo of the pair cuddled up together in a suite at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, while watching a University of Georgia vs. Texas Christian University football game, according to Hello Magazine.

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Did Kelsea Ballerini slid into Stokes' DM?

Kelsea later revealed on the Call Her Daddy podcast that she slid into Chase's Instagram DMs first. "I was ready to open back up," she told host Alex Cooper of her post-divorce feelings toward romance.

"I just felt, why not? I've never really dated, I don't know how it works. I'm like, 'Let's just put ourselves out there, let's just vibe.' And it's been fun."

The two made it official after they made their romance official on the CMT Music Awards red carpet in April 2023. Since then, the two have made numerous red carpet appearances together, traveling to support each other’s work ventures, and revealed last October that they had moved in together.

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Chase opened up around that time about going to one of Kelsea's concerts for the first time – and why he was so emotional throughout the entire show. "For her to go back to her hometown and to sell out an arena, like that stage — it was the coolest thing. I cried the whole time," he previously told People. "It's a magical moment when you see somebody who at 12 years old wanted to have this dream and then to go back to her hometown and do exactly what she set out to do — I mean there's no way to be more proud."

The singer put out a new album last October, titled Patterns, which she has said was partially inspired by her relationship with the actor. "Chase is also a Virgo, and we’re very kindred in 90 percent of the ways," she told Women's Health.

"It’s been such a beautiful journey to figure out how to be in a relationship with someone who’s truly a mirror of you. It’s taken a lot of really intentional work, and you hear that throughout this new album," she continued. "It’s not not a record full of love. It is, but it’s the nuance of it, and it’s the in-between moments. How do we get to the happy-go-lucky, mushy-gushy phase? This is the process, but it took a lot of sorting through baggage together. I think we’re both really proud of that."