American Entertainment News: Chase Stokes Honors Kelsea Ballerini’s Birthday Just Days Before Split Becomes Public
Just two days prior to news breaking about their separation, Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes publicly celebrated Kelsea Ballerini’s 32nd birthday, expressing admiration for the country star and optimism about their shared future
Before calling it quits, Chase and Kelsea were commemorating important milestones in their relationship.
On September 12, Stokes posted a heartfelt birthday tribute on Instagram for Ballerini, highlighting moments from their time together—like a New York Knicks game, a private jet snapshot, and a cheeky shadow photo—along with a caption expressing excitement about what was to come.
“Even though you keep saying you’re not thrilled about turning 32,” Chase wrote, “I’m definitely looking forward to more of this.” He concluded the post with, “Happy birthday my love.”
But just two days later, a representative for Ballerini confirmed to People that the couple had officially ended their relationship, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the “Dibs” singer as a single woman.
American Entertainment News outlets have reached out to representatives for both stars, but as of now, there’s been no official comment from either side.
In the lead-up to their breakup, fans speculated about trouble in paradise after Kelsea appeared to remove certain posts featuring Chase from her social media. Still, Chase seemed to downplay the rumors by sharing a photo of her dog, Dibs, in what many saw as a supportive gesture.
Since they publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2023, Chase—who turns 33 on September 16—frequently offered fans glimpses into their love story, including red carpet appearances and intimate social media tributes. However, he previously mentioned that much of their relationship remained behind closed doors.
“Sometimes it seems like we’re sharing too much,” Chase told E! News in a September 2024 interview, “but I honestly feel like I still keep a strong boundary when it comes to my personal life.”
Both stars have experienced high-profile relationships before—Chase dated Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline until their 2021 split, while Kelsea finalized her divorce from fellow musician Morgan Evans in 2022.
Their time together was deeply influential, not only personally but professionally. Chase served as a muse for Kelsea’s 2024 album Patterns, particularly her track “First Rodeo.”
“He’s such a major part of this album and of my life,” Kelsea told E! News last October. “It felt like a beautiful tribute to him and to what we had.”
Nearly two years into their journey, both Kelsea and Chase seemed to embrace their growth as individuals and partners. “We’ve both learned so much and challenged each other to be better—not just for the relationship, but for ourselves. We’ve really become a team.”
Stay tuned to American Entertainment News for more updates and a retrospective on Kelsea and Chase’s relationship.
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