How Kelsea Ballerini Made An ‘Unrecognizable’ Change

Kelsea Ballerini unearthed a new sense of empowerment to “stand in my success” in a season of life that’s “unrecognizable” from what it was a few years ago.

The Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year nominee spoke about her life and career in a new interview for Elle’s digital cover story, which published on Tuesday (May 6). Ballerini excitedly shared the cover and a story behind the photoshoot on TikTok. The interview included a reflection of a pivotal moment in the East Tennessee-born artist’s career: releasing Rolling Up The Welcome Mat on Valentine’s Day in 2023. The deeply personal EP shared Ballerini’s story of heartache — and the beginning of her healing journey — after divorce. The project resonated with a new audience of listeners in a way Ballerini admits she didn’t expect, and in a way that added a new wave of pressure when she started working on her fifth studio album, Patterns.

Now, years after her divorce, Ballerini said in her interview with Elle that her life is “unrecognizable from how it was a couple of years ago, and thank God.” She celebrated her two-year anniversary with actor Chase Stokes earlier this year, recently wrapped up her first-ever headlining arena tour, and is serving as a coach for the first time on The Voice, among other victories in her life and career. Ballerini told Elle that a few years ago, her manager told her: “‘You need to stop acting like you’re new here.’ So I’ve been trying to stand in my success more and not make myself smaller. I think that’s a lesson for all women—to be really proud about our wins.”