Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes quickly became a fan-favorite couple after confirming their relationship status.
The country singer and the Outer Banks star were first linked in January 2023 after they were spotted together at the College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles.
Ballerini confirmed the romance one month later during an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, revealing that she’d slid into Chase’s DMs. “His handle is ‘hichasestokes’ and I just said, ‘Hi Chase Stokes,’” she shared.
Scroll down for a complete breakdown of Ballerini and Stokes’ relationship:
November 2022
Us confirmed that Ballerini and Morgan Evans reached a settlement in their divorce after announcing their split in August 2022.
January 2023
The “Peter Pan” artist and the Netflix star were spotted together at the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship in L.A. Stokes included a cuddly photo from inside the arena in the Instagram dump that sparked rumors about his relationship with Ballerini.
January 2023
As speculation continued to grow, Ballerini shared her reaction in a candid TikTok video. “I’m about to break up with the internet 5 sure,” she captioned the post.
January 2023
Stokes played coy about his status with the Grammy nominee, telling TMZ that the pair were “having a good time” together. “She’s a sweet girl,” he added.
January 2023
The pair were spotted getting cozy at Robert’s Western World bar in Nashville. In footage obtained by TMZ, Stokes leaned in close to whisper in Ballerini’s ear before grabbing her hand.
January 2023
A source exclusively told Us that the pair are not officially dating, days after the pair were spotted holding hands inside a Nashville bar.
“Chase and Kelsea have been flirting back and forth since meeting through friends at the College Football National Championship Game in L.A., but they’re not together,” the insider said at the time. “They both think the other is very attractive, so you never know [what could happen].”
February 2023
After seemingly attending solo, the “Heartfirst” songstress shared a photo of Grammys look via Instagram — and Stokes approved, commenting a red heart emoji.
February 2023
After Ballerini dropped a six-song EP about her split from Evans, Stokes congratulated her.
“Oh so proud of you,” the actor wrote via Instagram.
February 2023
Stokes was quick to celebrate Ballerini’s major milestone after her Saturday Night Live debut was announced. The “Blindsided” singer will appear as the musical guest for Super Bowl LVII champ Travis Kelce.
“I mean, she’s the best,” Stokes told Entertainment Tonight. “I’m so excited for her and everything happening in her career right now.”
February 2023
The “Blindsided” singer confirmed that she’s not single during an interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, revealing that she slid into Stokes’ DMs. “[My manager] was like, ‘You know who’s really cute, like, when you’re ready? Chase.’ I was like, ‘You’re so right,'” she recalled. “His handle is ‘hichasestokes’ and I just said, ‘Hi Chase Stokes.'”
February 2023
After confirming her romance with Stokes, Ballerini shared an Outer Banks poster of the actor’s face in honor of the show’s third season.
February 2023
The Netflix star shared a sweet glimpse of his bond with Ballerini after she confirmed their relationship on “Call Her Daddy,” uploading a PDA pic via his Instagram Story.
March 2023
“Kelsea and Chase have a very flirty relationship, they like each other and are staying in contact, but she’s not looking to jump into something very serious,” a source exclusively told Us. “Kelsea does really like Chase though, he’s fun and carefree and she needs that, so there’s a very real possibility that they could date exclusively on the future.”
The “Dibs” songstress and the actor “have a very no strings [attached] situation” at the moment, the insider explained, adding, “They’re rarely in the same place, so they’re still getting to know each other.”
March 2023
The pair were spotted packing on the PDA at a Rangers game in NYC before Ballerini made her SNL debut. Stokes later addressed their romance on the Today show, teasing that he’s a “fan” of Ballerini.
March 2023
One day the pair’s first official outing together at the New York Rangers game, they continued to explore the Big Apple by strolling hand in hand around Manhattan.
March 2023
Stokes was by Ballerini’s side as she performed a song inspired by her split from Evans on Saturday Night Live. Before her debut, the country singer uploaded a TikTok of her goofing off with the Outer Banks star backstage.
March 2023
“Post-show date night ❤️,” Stokes captioned an Instagram Story pic of Ballerini as they ate dinner together on her tour bus.
April 2023
Ballerini and Stokes made their official red carpet debut as a couple at the CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas, which she cohosted with Kane Brown. Inside the venue, the actor was caught dancing and singing along during Ballerini’s performance of “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).”
August 2023
The couple posed for photos together at Variety and the Golden Globes’ Venice Film Festival party wearing coordinated black outfits. Ballerini kissed a smiling Stokes on the cheek in one snap.
October 2023
“We are both very much so golden-retriever energy most of the time, but we both have a little bite in us, and we’re both incredibly driven,” Ballerini told Nylon of Stokes. “He is the first person I’ve been in a relationship with that I feel like is not my complete opposite.”
The musician also reflected on the early days of her relationship with the actor, which began with a first date in Los Angeles. “I really did [know] as soon as I met him,” Ballerini said of their connection. “And maybe that sounds like I’ve learned zero things, but I’ve always been a heart-first girl and the truth is it’s never led me astray. I’ve always been where I needed to be while I needed to be there.”
November 2023
The twosome channeled Barbie and Ken while attending the 2023 CMA Awards.
January 2024
Ballerini and Stokes penned sweet tributes to each other in celebration of their one year anniversary.
“A whole trip around the sun with my bestie,” Ballerini wrote via Instagram, alongside a carousel of videos and snaps of the pair. “@hichasestokes thanks for making me write love songs.”
Stokes shared his own collection of pictures and clips to Instagram, alongside the caption: “One year of lovin you. P.s. told ya I wouldn’t embarrass you.”
June 2024
Ballerini celebrated a milestone in her relationship with Stokes with a sweet Instagram Story, writing, “year and a half lovin the heck outta you.”
Stokes shared a romantic photo dump of his own, gushing over “my woman, dogs & family❤️.” In one pic, the couple held hands as they walked on a beach.
September 2024
Ballerini shared a sweet message for Stokes in honor of his 32nd birthday.
“It’s my favorite humans birthday and there’s no one on the planet easier to celebrate,” she wrote via Instagram alongside a carousel of pics and videos of the pair. “I adore you with my whole ass heart @hichasestokes 🤍.”
October 2024
Stokes and Ballerini transformed into one of pop culture’s most iconic couples, Danny and Sandy from Grease, for Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween party in New York City. The pair dressed in the characters’ black outfits from the memorable “You’re The One That I Want” musical number.
January 2025
On January 7, the couple celebrated their two-year anniversary by sharing a collage of photos together online.
“Two years of catching each other in countless cities, perfecting a chimichurri steak and creating a world that revolves around dogs,” Ballerini wrote via Instagram. “Love you so, teammate. 🤍”
In a separate Instagram post, Stokes wrote, “2 laps around the sun with you, I love you kb 🤍(especially when you laugh so hard you wheeze, and 8 am dance routines to your toothbrush).”
January 2025
As Ballerini prepared to kick off her first arena tour, she took to social media to share her excitement.
“I can’t shy away from the absolute pinch me, teary eyed nature i’m feeling going into it,” she wrote via Instagram. “So, so many incredible people have spent these last months pouring their ideas, hours, and magic into this show in hopes we honor the journey that has brought us here, and honors those of you that are so kindly showing up for it.”
Stokes took to the comments section to write, “So motherf—ing proud of you good lawd. Earned. Earned. Earned. ❤️.”
Stokes, for his part, shared on his social media page that his new movie, Marked Men, was hitting theaters this week. Ballerini gushed in the comments that she was “so proud” of Stokes.
February 2025
When the duo aren’t walking red carpets at major events like the 2025 Grammys, both Ballerini and Stokes are focused on enjoying the simple life. Whether walking the dogs or making dinner at home, the pair prefer quality time away from any cameras.
“When we have time off, like we do right now, we’re focused on quietly doing the work,” Ballerini told Byrdie before sharing her love for steak. “That’s the go-to now and my favorite thing ever. I’ll go to the butcher, I’ll get a good cut of steak, I’ll come home and marinate it in the fridge — I won’t even tell him. Then it’s dinner time, and I just pull out this marinated steak, and I’m like, ‘Yes I AM that bitch.’”
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