Is Kelsea Ballerini sending a subtle message or just living her best life? Maybe both…
Earlier this week, actor Chase Stokes, known for his role as John B. in the popular Netflix series Outer Banks, threw major shade at Morgan Evans, the ex-husband of Ballerini. This social media outburst has raised questions about masculinity and the couples involved, particularly in light of their past relationships.
For context, Evans is an Australian country singer who married Kelsea Ballerini in 2017, but their union ended in a highly publicized divorce in 2022. The split wasn’t amicable, as evidenced by the pointed lyrics in their music that followed the announcement. Both Evans and Ballerini have utilized their songs as outlets to express their emotions and grievances from their tumultuous marriage.
After their breakup, Evans released “Over For You,” which questions the moment Ballerini decided to walk away. The lyrics poignantly express his feelings of betrayal and confusion:
“I would have searched the whole world over for you / Took a flight through the night to be that shoulder for you.”
In response, Ballerini added a new verse to her song “Blindsided,” countering Evans’s sentiment with biting clarity:
“Now you’re singing it loud on the radio / You couldn’t say it to my face / You would have searched the whole world over? / Yeah, sure, okay.”
Her EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, further addressed her side of the story, making it evident that she had her own frustrations. Meanwhile, Evans continued to release music, including “What Does That Say About You?” where he subtly took jabs at Ballerini while introducing the track with a comment aimed at those with toxic exes.
Despite the back-and-forth music saga, Evans attempted to remain lowkey after their divorce. During a 2023 interview, he expressed his sadness about Ballerini speaking publicly about their issues, indicating a desire for privacy. He stated:
“It’s really sad for me to see this person, who I spent so much of my life with, and loved with all my heart, saying things that aren’t reality that leave out what really happened. She knows I’m not the type of guy to speak on those things publicly. If this is what she needs to heal, I hope it helps.”
Fast forward to today, Ballerini is reportedly dating Chase Stokes, and their relationship has had its ups and downs over the past couple of years. Recently, it was reported that they had split once again, which seemed to agitate Stokes concerning any public discourse involving his girlfriend’s ex. This came to a head when Evans appeared on an episode of The Bobbycast, discussing his divorce and promoting his upcoming album, Steel Town.
Stokes, feeling defensive, took to social media to throw shade at Evans’s masculinity, stating:
“This is about the most pathetic excuse of masculinity I’ve ever seen. Get a f—ing life.”
This bizarre response took many by surprise, especially since Evans hadn’t spoken negatively about Kelsea in the interview—his focus primarily being on his music. The argument left many puzzled: Why engage in a masculinity debate when the context didn’t warrant it?
In a comical twist, Evans responded to Stokes’s comment with humor, effectively defusing the situation and showcasing his ability to handle the online spat with grace. The fallout from Stokes’s outburst—especially as he later deleted his comment—has left many with questions about the dynamics of their relationships.
Interestingly, despite the awkward feud between her exes, Kelsea Ballerini hasn’t directly addressed the drama. Instead, she took a more creative approach to express her feelings, sharing a TikTok video showcasing her adventures paired with Lady Gaga’s catchy song “Telephone.” The video depicted her busy life and seemingly blissful state, essentially saying she’s too occupied to engage in their antics:
“Sorry I can’t hear you, I’m kinda busy.”
Ballerini’s fans loved the subliminal response. They noticed how she appeared to be moving on and thriving, with some even speculating about her potential new relationship with Tucker Wetmore, captured in her TikTok video.
Engagement from her followers included comments like:
“Kelsea said ‘Stop calling I don’t wanna talk anymore’ without saying it.”
“The song choice we love an unbothered queen.”
“Yes queen we are busy.”
It’s clear that Ballerini’s followers adore her confidence and independence. They champion her ability to stay focused on herself rather than getting entangled in the messy drama of past relationships. As for Chase Stokes, his track record suggests he might need to have the last word in this unfolding saga—stay tuned.
