Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes proved they’re extra in love than ever whereas heating up the purple carpet at the 2023 CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 8.
Ballerini, 30, Stokes, 31, cozied up whereas posing for photographers forward of the annual awards present, which was held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Ballerini channeled outdated Hollywood glam in a lightweight pink satin Christian Siriano gown with a excessive slit. She complemented the look with a daring purple lip and wore her blonde locks in tender curls.
Stokes, in the meantime, was basic with a twang in an all-black go well with with contrasting velvet cloth under the jacket’s lapels that honored the nation music style.
Ballerini is nominated for 2 awards at this 12 months’s ceremony: Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for her February EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. The recognition comes two years after her first CMA win in 2021 when she took residence the trophies for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year for her hit single “Half of My Hometown,” that includes fellow Tennessee native Kenny Chesney.
“I’m so proud that my first two CMAs are for a song that represents my roots and also celebrates the dream that made me leave to chase it down,” Ballerini stated in a November 2021 assertion. “I remember growing up in Knoxville watching the CMAs…So this feels surreal and special to share this with so many of my songwriting friends, and my hometown hero Kenny Chesney. I can’t think of a better moment to keep on my shelf forever.”
Ballerini’s private life has gone by means of some modifications since her first CMA wins. She and ex-husband Morgan Evans break up in August 2022 after practically 5 years of marriage. The pair finalized their divorce two months later and Ballerini moved on with Stokes, whom she was first linked to in late 2022.
The twosome made their official purple carpet debut as a pair at the CMT Music Awards in April, the place Stokes was caught dancing and singing alongside throughout Ballerini’s efficiency of “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).” He’s since been noticed supporting her in the crowd as she travels throughout the nation for her Heartfirst Tour, and has been by her aspect at numerous awards reveals.
Earlier this 12 months, Ballerini defined the pair’s resolution to forego privateness relating to their relationship. “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?” she informed StyleCaster in September. “He’s also a Virgo; we’re both Labrador Retrievers in human form. It doesn’t take much conversation to be on the same page. It’s been half a year and it’s been great.”
The duo’s flirty — and public — romance has prompted them to shortly turn out to be a fan-favorite superstar couple. While talking to Nylon final month, Ballerini shared why she and Stokes make such a fantastic match.
“We are both very much so golden-retriever energy most of the time, but we both have a little bite in us, and we’re both incredibly driven,” she informed the outlet in October. “He is the first person I’ve been in a relationship with that I feel like is not my complete opposite.”
The “Penthouse” singer additionally mirrored on the early days of their relationship, saying she felt immediately linked to the Outer Banks star even throughout their first date in Los Angeles.
“I really did [know] as soon as I met him,” she stated of their connection. “And maybe that sounds like I’ve learned zero things, but I’ve always been a heart-first girl and the truth is it’s never led me astray. I’ve always been where I needed to be while I needed to be there.”
For extra from Nashville, take a look at Us Weekly‘s VIP Guide to Music City.
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