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Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have reunited after splitting up two months ago.
On New Year’s Eve, Ballerini, 32, shared a photo via her Instagram Stories that revealed the twosome, in silhouette, apparently kissing outdoors at sunset.
“Messy year for the heart, messy year for the outside coming in, messy year for the way it became an out of our hands portrayal of it,” read a caption overlaying the image. “but what i’ll say, and all i really care to share indefinitely with my personal life anymore, is that i really love love. i believe in it, i believe in him, and i believe in breaking patterns. now go kiss your person and stop speculating.”
Meanwhile, Stokes, 33, posted a similar image on his Instagram grid, adding another photo of him embracing Ballerini.
“Something I’ve learned this year: don’t take advantage of the most beautiful things that in 33 years of life are fleeting,” he wrote in his caption. “Take accountability, learn from mistakes. Lean into love and say it often. 2026 my year of growth, my year of truth. Starting here, starting now. Happy new years ❤️.”
A source exclusively told Us Weekly in November that Ballerini and Stokes had broken up after a brief reconciliation. The couple first split in September after dating for more than two years.
“It’s done,” a source told Us on November 20, adding, “It was too much for Kelsea.”
The insider described the relationship as “so rocky and toxic” in recent months, and said that “jealousy definitely got in the way.” Ballerini, the source noted, “had a lot of trust issues” with the Outer Banks actor that seemed rooted in her divorce from Australian country singer Morgan Evans three years ago.
Chase Stokes’ new cryptic social media messages have fans thinking his relationship with Kelsea Ballerini is over again. “Don’t believe the media,” Stokes, 33, wrote via his Instagram Story on Thursday, November 20, raising eyebrows among his followers. “I’m blocked, I did nothing wrong.” The Outer Banks star added, “Sorry” with a red heart emoji. […]
Since that marriage ended, “it’s been hard for her to trust again,” the insider told Us.
“Chase really did try to make it work and loves her,” the source said, noting, “There’s a chance they could get back together.”
The breakup news followed an October sighting in which Ballerini and Stokes were seen together in Scotland looking “very much loved-up and holding hands at the bar,” a witness recalled. The next month, they were spotted in Croatia, where Stokes was filming the final season of the Netflix series Outer Banks.
However, by November 19, Ballerini attended the CMA Awards without Stokes. Fans noticed the two weren’t following each other on Instagram. At the time, the actor posted this message to his Instagram Stories: “Don’t believe the media. I’m blocked, I did nothing wrong. Sorry. I tried.” He also wrote, “I’m sorry for those who believed in us. It is what it is. Onwards and upwards.”
In early December, Ballerini addressed the situation while conducting an “Ask Me Anything” via her Instagram Stories.
“How are YOU?!? You heal a lot of us, what do YOU need?” one fan asked the “I Sit in Parks” singer.
“Thank you for saying this and asking,” she replied. “I’m in a steady and happy place right now, truly excited for this Australia tour and the holidays.”
She continued, “If I had one favor, it would be honoring that I’m trying to make my personal life personal for now. Unless it comes from me, it’s not from me. And that is really important in protecting my peace right now.”
