Kelsea Ballerini is diving deep into her personal journey with boyfriend Chase Stokes through her upcoming album Patterns, which is set to release on October 25. In an exclusive cover story with Women’s Health, the 31-year-old country singer shared insights into how their relationship has evolved and influenced her latest music.
Ballerini, known for her emotional songwriting, explained that while Patterns touches on love, it also explores the complexities that come with it. “It’s not just a record full of love songs; it’s about the nuance,” she told the outlet. “It’s the in-between moments. How do we get to the happy-go-lucky, mushy-gushy phase? This album is about that process—about sorting through baggage together. We’re both really proud of that.”
Her relationship with Outer Banks star Chase Stokes, who is also 32, has been a significant source of inspiration for this new project. Since both Ballerini and Stokes share the same zodiac sign, Virgo, she mentioned they’re “kindred in 90 percent of the ways,” adding that their connection has been a reflective one. “It’s been a beautiful journey to figure out how to be in a relationship with someone who’s truly a mirror of you,” Ballerini said. “It’s taken intentional work, and that’s what you hear throughout this album.”
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The pair first sparked dating rumors in January 2023 when Stokes shared a photo of them cozying up at the Georgia vs. TCU game. They later confirmed their romance publicly on the CMT Awards red carpet in April of the same year.
Ballerini also touched on their playful dynamic when she recently posted a TikTok video ranking characters from Outer Banks, despite not having watched the show. Explaining her unfamiliarity, she joked that she and Stokes have a “deal” about watching it. “But I’ve seen so much of this season, and it’s badass!” she added.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Patterns, which promises to provide a raw and introspective look at love, growth, and navigating the ups and downs of relationships. As Ballerini puts it, the album captures both the hard work and the beautiful moments that come with being in a relationship with someone who reflects back what you need to see in yourself.
