Kelsea Ballerini for StyleCaster.Photo:George Chinsee/StyleCaster
George Chinsee/StyleCaster
Kelsea Balleriniis an open book.
In acover story interviewwithStylecasterreleased Monday, the “Heartfirst” singer opened up abouther relationshipwithOuter Banksstar Chase Stokes, her season of “play,” and speaking out about matters she considers important.
“I always thought of myself as one thing, which was a glittery, palatable blonde that sings country music," Ballerini, 29, tells the outlet. “I’ve realized over the last few years, as I’ve woken up to myself, and really stepped into my womanhood, that I’m really open to discovering more of myself.”
Kelsea Ballerini for StyleCaster.George Chinsee/StyleCaster
She adds, “I’m in such a season of play right now.”
A key component of this new season is boyfriend Stokes, whom shewas first linked toin January.
“The thing that we’ve decided, and to each their own, is when you’re with someone that you feel secure with and that you’re proud to be with, why not share it?” the “Blindsided” singer said. “He’s also a Virgo, we’re very similar; we’reboth Labrador Retrieversin human form. It doesn’t take much conversation to be on the same page, which is nice. It’s been half a year and it’s been great.”
Before her relationship with Stokes, Balleriniwent through a divorcefrom fellow country singerMorgan Evans. During her chat with Stylecaster, she opened up about the public scrutiny she faced in the process.
“I discovered Reddit in 2022… and I no longer go on Reddit. I would read situations of what people had thought of me or what people had heard about me, or people’s interactions of meeting me and they were negative," she said. “That guts me; that s— really gets to me. I think the reality is that everyone is human. I wish people believed me when I say, ‘Instead of taking a photo from behind your menu, come say hi.’”
After her divorce, shereleased a candid EPwhich documented her divorce titledRolling Up the Welcome Mat.She now considers the project her big break.
“I’m like, ‘Why now’? And the answer I keep getting is because when you honor yourself—and you do the right thing for everyone — but you’re really honoring yourself, you create the space within your soul and your body and your heart to welcome what’s meant for you,” she said. “So I do feel like there’s some kismet stuff happening just because I have space for it now.”
“I get why people don’t speak out because the pushback is so aggressive, so violent, and so dark and scary,” the “Penthouse” singer said.
She continued, “But, I didn’t for a long time. I didn’t say s— about s— for a long time because I was there. I was scared. And I guess I just had to rip [off] a couple of Band-Aids. As soon as you rip one, the rest get a little less scary.”
source: people.com
