Kelsea Ballerini shares how her boyfriend Chase Stokes 'calms her nerves' before walking red carpets as she poses in pink for New Beauty
Kelsea Ballerini has found the remedy to ridding anxiety before carpet appearances thanks to her boyfriend, Chase Stokes.
The 30-year-old recently opened up about how the Outer Banks star helps her conquer carpet events.
In fact, before Kelsea's Met Gala debut, her nerves were high, but having Chase, 31, attend fashion’s biggest night by her side made it all okay.
'I’m excited, but I’m nervous! Very nervous,' she told New Beauty in a profile on Wednesday. 'Chase will be with me on the red carpet, so that helps. You know.'
Although the country singer stunned in a floral Michael Kors gown, at the time, Kelsea wasn't sure what to expect from the annual gala.
Kelsea Ballerini has found the remedy to ridding anxiety before carpet appearances thanks to her boyfriend, Chase Stokes, she told New Beauty
The couple made their Met Gala debut in May looking effortless on the stairs
'You know I'm such a girly-girl. I’m ready to play dress-up,' she quipped, 'but there are a lot of unknowns since it’s my first time attending.'
Kelsea added, 'I’ve been told the bathroom selfies are the only time you should really take your phone out. I’ve also heard that I need to get numbing spray for my feet and Band-Aids for my clutch, which I have on lock. What can I say, I’m a Virgo!'
When it came to the big night, the couple looked effortless as they hit the steps and shared a sweet kiss and loving gazes for a slew of photographs.
Meanwhile, Kelsea hasn't shied away from gushing over Chase on social media, taking a moment to give him a special nod on their one-year anniversary.
'A whole trip around the sun with my bestie,' she captioned a series of pictures on Instagram. '@hichasestokes thanks for making me write love song.'
The actor took to the comments section to echo his leading lady's sentiments.
As Chase put it, 'I really really [heart emoji] you.'
Along with her new beau, the Grammy nominee is also embarking on new territory in her career.
'I am going to be a coach on The Voice,' Kelsea told New Beauty. 'Before I leave, I’m finishing the album and cramming in as much real life as I can. Then I go to LA July through September to go try on a new career for a minute.'
Here she is seen in a pink dress with flowers attached; the shoot was by John Russo
'I’m excited, but I’m nervous! Very nervous,' the singer told New Beauty about attending the Met Gala. 'Chase will be with me on the red carpet, so that helps. You know'
The Dibs artist -who has been a faithful Nashville resident for years - has her reservations about moving to the City of Angels.
'Am I excited about moving to LA? Not at all,' she confessed. 'LA makes me shake in my boots! I’m really excited to do something so out of my comfort zone and to have this opportunity—an opportunity where I’m still invested in music, but in a different way.'
Kelsea noted, 'I’m excited to take some of what I’ve learned over the last decade and try to help other people. I’m excited to try something new.'
The 30-year-old will be a coach on the upcoming season of The Voice: 'I’m excited to take some of what I’ve learned over the last decade and try to help other people'
'The last two years have been the biggest transformation,' the Nashville resident shared, 'but in a good way. I feel like I’ve grown up into someone I’m really proud of'
And Kelsea already knows what she's most looking forward to doing while in the Golden State.
'I want to explore the West Coast,' she shared. 'I’ll have my dog with me and I’m excited to take days off and get out there, rent a car and do what I do when I’m back home in Nashville: Put the windows down and go drive and see what’s going on.'
Over the past few years, the CMT Awards host has undergone significant life changes, like splitting from ex-husband Morgan Evans in 2022 after five years of marriage.
'The last two years have been the biggest transformation, but in a good way. I feel like I’ve grown up into someone I’m really proud of, and that includes being someone who’s still actively trying to grow,' Kelsea reflected. 'I don’t know…maybe it’s turning 30, or what I’ve learned in the past 10 years, or what I’ve been through in the last two, but I’m very attracted to growth and trying new things right now.'
Here she is seen flashing her tattoo as she wears a mint green dress for the cover
She added, 'I’m trying not to stay too stagnant in my life, but I’m also focused on finding balance. I feel like everything is a bit unrecognizable—in a good way.'
Kelsea has also been vocal about rest and mental health, which the star continues to advocate for even in her life.
'I do therapy once a week,' she said. I’ve never been this consistent with it, and I’ve noticed that it’s incredibly helpful to keep to that schedule. I think I’ve finally learned how to have a "switch."'
'I used to always pride myself on, "I’m going to be the same all the time!"' she continued. 'I hope that I am at my core - I know that I am at my core - but now there is a bit of a switch that I’m able to turn off when I’m in my real life and in my jeans and with my friends, my boyfriend, my dog, my mom or dad, or whomever. I’m able to "click" into being a 30-year-old woman, daughter, friend…and just try to be present for that.'
