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Kelsea Ballerini and Boyfriend Chase Stokes Moved in: 'We're Unpacked' (Exclusive)


Kelsea Ballerini and Boyfriend Chase Stokes Moved in: 'We're Unpacked' (Exclusive)

Kelsea Ballerini and her boyfriend Chase Stokes are getting serious.

In her new song “Baggage,” the 31-year-old country star announces a new relationship milestone.

“Boy, I know the weight and gravity / Of keychains with the same keys / But if you want that welcome mat / Then roll it up with me / Clean out a drawer, clean out a shelf / I wouldn't want to do that to anyone.” else,” she sings. “I have luggage, but I’m moving in.”

This also applies to the country star and her Outer Banks Actor Beau, 32, living together these days?

“Oh, we're unpacked, baby!” Ballerini — who has been dating Stokes since January 2023 — tells PEOPLE.

“Baggage” – which the singer describes as “blissful acceptance” – is one of the standout tracks from Ballerini’s excellent fifth album Patternwhich she posted on Friday, October 25th.

Ballerini gets vulnerable on the album by talking about putting her divorce behind her — she ended her marriage to singer-songwriter Morgan Evans, 39, in August 2022 — and opening her heart to love again.

“I think when I went into this next chapter of my life – and you hear this on 'First Rodeo' – I felt very shy at first and thought, 'Oh God, am I damaged goods?' says Ballerini. “And then with 'Baggage' it's a kind of juxtaposition of: What I am, who I am, and this is what I bring to the table, and I will not apologize for the path that led me here. I am proud of my journey and take it or leave it, but I hope you will embrace it.

Stokes – who appears in his girlfriend's new music video for “First Rodeo” – supported Ballerini's latest project on its release day.

“Humanity, authenticity, honesty and a lot of vulnerability,” Stokes wrote on his Instagram Stories. “KB, you are a unique person. This record is more than a record. It is a soundtrack to our human experience, summarized in 15 tracks. You made something impossible possible. Thank you for making it to The World. Thanks for letting me in. Please listen to this and enjoy.

Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini at the 2023 MTV VMAs in Newark, NJ

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage


Pattern follows Ballerini's “Heart-on-her-Sleeve” EP from 2023 Roll up the welcome matwhich received a Grammy nomination for best country album in February.

“I think that's what happens when you turn 30 and you kind of assess your life,” Ballerini says, adding that she feels “naked” on the album. “And I came up for some air and thought, 'Okay, all right, let's do a little inventory here.' What in my life do I love right now? What feels uncomfortable? What did I contribute to these two things? What are my patterns? And then what do I want to work on and edit about myself? And then what do I want to work on, challenge and celebrate in my closest, most interpersonal relationships?'”

The “Miss Me More” singer, who will celebrate the release with a sold-out album launch concert at Madison Square Garden on October 29 before embarking on her first-ever headlining arena tour in January, did a lot of soul-searching while making it Pattern.

Kelsea Ballerini’s “Patterns” album cover.

2024 Black River Entertainment


“One thing I've realized about myself is that in every relationship in my life…as soon as something feels scary, like it's going to go wrong, my habit and unhealthy behavior pattern is to just say, 'Oh 'That's what I'm going to do.'” Jump off the boat so I hurt myself and they don't hurt me,” she says.

Ballerini adds, “I realized that this really wasn't serving me, and sometimes the best thing that can happen to a friendship, a relationship, or an opportunity is having difficult conversations and processing a turbulent moment,” Ballerini adds. “When you come out on the other side, there is so much beauty in it and so much mutual respect for this fight for each other. And I think that in my personal life, it's something that I'm really proud to finally tackle.”

Pattern is out now.

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