Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Rekindle Their Romance for 2026
Kelsea Ballerini and actor Chase Stokes are commencing 2026 exactly where they started: by each other’s side. After a brief separation this past September concluded their initial three-year chapter, the couple appears to have found their way back to one another just in time for the New Year.
On Wednesday, December 31, both the country superstar and the Outer Banks lead took to Instagram to share reflections on love and growth, effectively confirming their reconciliation to their followers.
“One lesson I’ve carried from this year: never undervalue the most exquisite things that can be so fleeting,” Stokes expressed in a carousel of intimate photos featuring the pair. “Take ownership, learn from your stumbles, and lean into love as often as possible. I’m claiming 2026 as my year of evolution and honesty. It starts now. Happy New Year.”
Ballerini echoed this sentiment through her Instagram Stories, offering a candid look at her emotional journey. “It’s been a tumultuous year for the heart and a difficult year with external opinions shaping a narrative that felt out of our hands,” she wrote. “All I care to share regarding my personal life now is that I am deeply in love with love. I believe in it, I believe in him, and I believe in the power of breaking old patterns.”
She concluded her update with a direct message to those watching her every move: “Go kiss your person and stop the speculation.”
The “Emerald City” songstress and Stokes originally went public in 2023, making a high-profile debut on the CMT Awards red carpet. Their connection began digitally in 2022 when Ballerini famously reached out to Stokes via a direct message on social media.
In early December, Ballerini hinted at her desire for privacy, telling fans she was focused on “protecting her peace” and insisting that unless news comes directly from her, it shouldn’t be considered fact.
On the professional front, the singer-songwriter remains at the top of her game. Her latest project, the six-track EP Mount Pleasant, debuted in November via Black River Entertainment, following the massive success of her chart-topping album, Patterns.
