A representative for Kelsea Ballerini confirmed to PEOPLE that the country singer and Chase Stokes have ended their relationship after nearly three years together.
Both 32, the couple split despite efforts to make their relationship work.
“They’re two adults who gave it their all and tried to do everything they could to make it work, but ultimately couldn’t. It happens,” sources close to the couple tell PEOPLE exclusively.
The country star and Outer Banks actor first sparked dating rumors in January 2023. Stokes shared a photo of them together at the Georgia vs. TCU game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
They went public with their romance in April 2023 at the CMT Awards red carpet.
Maintaining Long-Distance Love
In September 2024, Stokes explained to PEOPLE how he kept their relationship strong despite busy schedules.
“If we need to make the effort to show up when one’s across the country, we do it,” he said. “The amount of effort that we put into our careers, we should be doubling that in our personal lives.”
Stokes emphasized their commitment to seeing each other regularly, never going more than three weeks apart.
“It’s not always easy and it’s not always convenient, but having a big, beautiful life didn’t come from convenience or ease.”
Recent Public Moments
Ballerini discussed their relationship in an October 2024 interview with Women’s Health. She described how her latest album, Patterns, captured the complexity of falling in love with Stokes.
“It’s the in-between moments,” she said. “How do we get to the happy-go-lucky, mushy-gushy phase? This is the process, but it took a lot of sorting through baggage together. I think we’re both really proud of that.”
Last week, Stokes celebrated Ballerini’s birthday with a tribute on Instagram.
“Although you keep saying you’re not excited for 32, I’d say I’m lookin forward to more of this. happy birthday my love ,” he wrote.
Ballerini’s Perspective on Love
In an earlier PEOPLE cover story this year, Ballerini reflected on her approach to relationships and personal growth.
“I look at love really practically now, and somehow it’s my favorite version of it,” she said. “I didn’t really have an example of what a solid relationship looked like in my developmental years. I learned the hard way.”
She described finding a new understanding of partnership.
“Now my version of love that I’ve found, it’s steady and it’s human, and we work on it. That, to me, honestly, is the sexiest thing, like, ‘Hey, you want to go to therapy? Let’s go to therapy.’ Being so down with your person to put in the work for each other and individually, it’s a very new kind of love for me.”
The split marks the end of a relationship that both stars had publicly praised for its maturity and commitment to personal growth.
