Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes are ringing in the new year as newly reunited couple.
Ballerini, a country singer, and Stokes, an actor, were together for nearly three years before they split in September 2025, as Ballerini’s rep confirmed to TODAY.com.
On Dec. 31, Stokes and Ballerini posted photos from what seemed to be the same sunset photoshoot to their Instagram pages.
Ballerini shared a photo of her and Stokes as silhouettes and a caption that spoke to a year of ups and downs, and the conclusions she drew from it.
“Messy year for the heart, messy year for the outside coming in, messy year for the way it became an out of our hands portrayal of it,” she said.
Ballerini went on to share a message about how she’ll choose to share her personal life going forward. “But what I’ll say, and all I really care to share indefinitely with my personal life anymore, is that I really love love. I believe in it, I believe in him, and I believe in breaking patterns. Now go kiss your person and stop speculating,” she said.
Stokes, meanwhile, shared a carousel of photos to his Instagram grid, which included two of him and Ballerini embracing. He also wrote a caption reflecting on the new year and love’s place in his life.
“Something I’ve learned this year: don’t take advantage of the most beautiful things that in 33 years of life are fleeting. Take accountability, learn from mistakes. Lean into love and say it often. 2026 my year of growth, my year of truth. Starting here, starting now. Happy new years,” he said.
Neither Stokes nor Ballerini officially said they are a couple and didn’t mention each other’s names in their captions. TODAY.com has reached out to Ballerini for comment.
The “Outer Banks” star first confirmed he and Ballerini were dating during a TODAY appearance in March 2023. They went on to make their red carpet debut at the CMT Music Awards in April 2023.
Ballerini gave a glowing update on their relationship on TODAY in August 2023
“I’m so happy,” she said. “It’s nice to feel so supported and seen. He’s such a wonderful, wonderful human being.”
She spoke out after their breakup in September 2025 with a plea for peace.
“Let us be. Please,” she wrote in an caption to a TikTok video.
