New couple alert! Kelsea Ballerini, 29, was one of the co-hosts and performers at the 2023 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 2, but she caught everyone's attention long before the show even started, when she walked the carpet with her new beau, Chase Stokes, 30.
The “Heartfirst” singer and the Outer Banks star were seen walking the red teal carpet together, and they appeared quite cozy—wrapped in each other's arms and laughing.
The country music singer gushed while chatting with CMT's Carissa Culiner prior to the show. “I have a really hot date tonight,” the singer-songwriter said. “I'm really really happy...this is kind of our first outing, so I'm like, ‘Come on into my world and then bring me into Charleston [the location where Outer Banks is filmed], and I'll be in yours.’”
The two started dating in December 2022, which Ballerini revealed during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast in February. Then, the following month, Stokes visited the Today show and confirmed that he's a fan of Ballerini's music. “Absolutely, I'm a fan,” he said. “Who isn't a fan?”
As noted by People, this isn't the first time that Stokes has shown support for his girlfriend. Back in March, the Tell Me Your Secrets star was in the audience when Ballerini performed on the March 5 episode of Saturday Night Live. Meanwhile, there have also been photos of Stokes hanging out with Ballerini on her tour.
Prior to their relationship, Ballerini was married to country singer Morgan Evans. Meanwhile, Stokes previously dated his Outer Banks co-star, Madelyn Cline.
We'd love to see Kelsea make a cameo on Outer Banks. Make it happen, Netflix.
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