Kelsea Ballerini Gets Emotional in First Show After Chase Stoke Split

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Cowgirls cry too.

Kelsea Ballerini became visibly emotional when she performed live for the first time after ending her relationship with Chase Stokes.

Country singer performed a moving version of her song “Penthouse” at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago on September 25th, according to a video shared by @fearisthemindkillr and obtained by TopMob News.

After performing the bridge of the song-which contains the lines, “It hurts putting st in a box / And now we don’t talk box / And it stings rolling up the welcome mat / Knowing you got half”-Kelsea paused for a moment to gather herself, taking in the enthusiastic cheers from the audience while shaking her head and smiling.

She kept singing, and it really hit me when she confessed she’d kissed someone else. Then, that heartbreaking line – ‘But now I don’t know where you’re sleeping, baby’ – just completely broke my heart. It felt so raw and vulnerable, like she was desperately wondering where things went wrong.

After the song finished, she briefly relaxed back into her seat, appearing moved by the enthusiastic response from the crowd.

This performance was Kelsea’s first public appearance since news broke on September 14th – confirmed by her representative to TopMob News – that she and Chase had ended their nearly three-year relationship.

Though she hasn’t officially confirmed the breakup, the 32-year-old shared a passionate video online as rumors spread about the split. It came in response to people commenting on her first public appearance since the breakup – a visit to a hair salon.

In a TikTok video posted on September 23th, she wrote, “CC: to the people spreading rumors, unnamed sources, and those secretly filming outside the hair salon-please leave us alone.”

Although people had been whispering about a possible breakup over the summer, Chase quickly dismissed the rumors in August. He shared an adorable photo of his dog, Dibs, on Instagram with a red heart, signaling everything was still good between them.

Everything seemed to indicate that Kelsea and her boyfriend were still a couple right up until two days before she announced their split. She had even posted a sweet birthday message for him, the star of *Outer Banks*.

He posted on Instagram with photos of them together on September 12th, playfully teasing her about not being excited to turn 32, and adding that he was definitely looking forward to sharing more moments like these with her.

He added, “Happy birthday my love.”

Keep reading for more on Chase and Kelsea’s romance…

On December 1st, 2022, around 1:30 a.m., Kelsea Ballerini sent a direct message to Chase Stokes after having a night out with friends. She was reportedly intoxicated at the time.

They finally met in person on January 7, 2023, and she now considers that day their anniversary.

Kelsea remembered that he jumped out of his Bronco without saying anything, then immediately grabbed her face, kissed her, and pulled back to say, ‘Thank God you’re real,’ as she shared on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast in November 2023.

Their romance blossomed after that first DM, which Kelsea shared in September 2023.

The two were photographed looking cozy at a football game.

In August 2023, Kelsea shared a TikTok video showing the start of her relationship. The clip was a throwback to January 7, 2023, when she was getting ready for her first date with her now-partner.

She shared a video with the caption, “Happy weekend! This is a video I sent to my best friend before my first date with Chase.”

I recently shared a little peek at what I’m wearing for a night out – and it all ties into my new song, ‘How Do I Do This’! The song is about navigating that first date feeling after a long time, and I wanted my outfit in the video to really reflect that vibe – a little bit of excitement, a little bit of ‘what am I doing?!’ – you know, the whole feeling!

“Here’s the look, with the boots” Kelsea said while checking herself out in a full-length mirror.

She turned to show off her hairstyle – half up and half down – and explained, “I’m using this hair clip to try and look trendy.”

She kept talking to a friend, telling them, “He’s coming to get me, and we’re going for sushi. I’ll call you tomorrow with all the details.”

She took a deep breath, raised a finger, and finally said with determination, “I can do this. I can do this.”

After a little playful movement, she explained that a date is simply a chance to have a meal and chat about your life. “It’s not a big deal,” she said.

Chase shared a pic of himself and Kelsea showing some PDA.

The two showcased their love on the CMAs red carpet.

The twosome attended the premiere party for the Broadway musical Shucked at Capitale.

The pair officially stepped out as a couple at the CMT Music Awards.

Chase joined Kelsea on a trip to her hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.

The two attended Armani Beauty’s ACQUA DI GIO and Gen A celebration in Malibu, Calif.

Kelsea was surprised and delighted when Chase showed up to greet her at the airport. Both of them shared sweet videos and photos of their reunion online.

The couple only had eyes for one another at a Venice Film Festival event.

The two were spotted on a summer date in NYC, where the singer performed on TODAY.

Honestly, it just feels amazing to have Chase in my corner. He’s so supportive and really *sees* me for who I am, and he’s genuinely one of the kindest people I know. He’s just wonderful!

The two appeared together at the 2023 MTV VMAs on Kelsea’s birthday.

The two shared a kiss on the red carpet.

Kelsea unveiled this pic on Chase’s 31st birthday days later.

To celebrate Kelsea’s 30th birthday on September 12, 2023, Chase shared a collection of photos and videos featuring the three-time Grammy nominee.

“Dirty 30 looks pretty damn good on you ballerini,” he captioned the series. “i love you.”

Kelsea shared this behind-the-scenes look from the event.

Kelsea and Chase looked incredibly stylish at designer Giorgio Armani’s exclusive event in Venice, Italy.

The singer and the actor from *Outer Banks* posted photos from their vacation on Instagram, showing them taking a cooking class and relaxing on the beach.

Kelsea planted a smooch on Chase’s cheek at the CMA Awards in November 2023.

In November 2023, Kelsea spoke with Alex Cooper on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast and shared that she was enjoying her sex life, simply stating, “I’m having a nice time.”

Honestly, looking back, everything I did felt like I was just *acting* for someone else, you know? Like I was putting on a show to impress them. But that’s totally changed now. I’m done with all that. It’s not about them anymore, it’s about *me* now.

Before she started dating him, the musician hadn’t realized how important intimacy could be for building a strong connection with someone.

I used to believe it was simply about the people involved, that’s all there was to it,” the Grammy-nominated artist explained. “But now I see it actually brings people together.

“One year of lovin you,” the actor wrote. “P.s. told ya I wouldn’t embarrass you.”

Kelsea celebrated her anniversary with Chase Stokes, writing, ‘A year around the sun with my best friend!’ She playfully thanked him for inspiring her to write love songs.

Kelsea shared this romantic pic on their first dating anniversary.

The two celebrated the anniversary of their first date.

Kelsea joined her boyfriend at the premiere of his Netflix movie Uglies.

After nearly three years together, the duo officially called it quits on their relationship.

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2025-09-26 20:17