kelsea ballerini cmt music awards 2022© Getty Images

Who is Kelsea Ballerini dating after surprise divorce? Meet her famous boyfriend

The 2023 CMT Music Awards host split from Morgan Evans in 2022

US Lifestyle Editor
April 1, 2023

Kelsea Ballerini has found love again after announcing her split from her husband, Morgan Evans, back in August 2022. 

The 2023 CMT Music Awards host – who will be co-hosting the ceremony on April 2 alongside Kane Brown – has been dating Outer Banks actor, Chase Stokes, since December. 

WATCH: Kelsea Ballerini shows off incredible shoe collection inside Nashville home

At first, Kelsea admitted that she and Chase were just "vibing", but earlier this month, the actor confirmed their relationship during an appearance on Today after co-anchor, Sheinelle Jones, told viewers: "For those of you who don't know, they're dating." 

Who is Kelsea Ballerini's boyfriend, Chase Stokes?

© Getty Images

Chase, 30, is an American actor from Annapolis, MD. He moved to Georgia before relocating to Florida as a teen. Before turning his hand to acting in 2014, Chase originally wanted to be an ice hockey player. 

He had small roles in shows including Stranger Things, Daytime Divas, and Tell Me Your Secrets, before finding fame as John Booker Routledge (John B) in the Netflix teen drama series Outer Banks. 

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Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes' relationship timeline 

© Instagram/Chase Stokes

Kelsea and Chase were first pictured together in January 2023

Chase and Kelsea were first spotted together in January 2023 when they attended a football game. The actor shared a photo of them cuddled up in their seats, and while it didn't reveal their faces, he did tag Kelsea in the picture. 

A few weeks later, Chase alluded to their relationship, telling TMZ: "She's a sweet girl. We're having a good time and that's all I'll say." After they were spotted enjoying a cozy date at a bar in Nashville and packing on the PDA at LAX airport, Kelsea confirmed that she wasn't single. 

"Am I single?" she said on the Call Her Daddy podcast in February. "Am I single? God. Um… nope… It's all really new to me. I'm tiptoeing, but I'm happy. It's been a really beautiful reawakening." 

Kelsea and Chase were pictured holding hands in NYC in March

Kelsea revealed that she slid into Chase's DMs in December, and they soon began "just having fun". 

However, in March they had their first public date night at a New York Rangers game where they were photographed sharing a kiss from their seats, and they were also pictured holding hands while strolling around NYC. 

Chase has also proved to be a supportive boyfriend as when Kelsea went on tour in March, he was spotted watching from the side stage at several shows. 

Who is Kelsea Ballerini's ex-husband?

Kelsea was married to Australian singer, Morgan Evans, for almost five years before she announced their split in August 2022. 

The former couple met while co-hosting Australia's Country Music Channel Awards in March 2016. Morgan proposed 10 months later, and they married in Mexico on December 2, 2017. 

© Getty Images

Kelsea and her ex-husband, Morgan Evans

Announcing their split, Kelsea wrote on her Instagram Stories: "Friends, I've always tried my best to share my life with you in a real and vulnerable way, while also protecting layers of my personal life as they unfold. 

"This is now public record so I wanted you to hear from me directly that I am going through a divorce." 

Kelsea added: "This deeply difficult decision is the result of a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end. It's hard to find the words here … but I feel extremely grateful for the years of marriage to Morgan and hopeful for the next seasons."

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