Kelsea Ballerini Teases 'Metaphors, Symbolism' In 'Emerald City' Video

Kelsea Ballerini shared behind-the-scenes looks at her new “Emerald City” music video in an Instagram post on Wednesday evening (December 17).

Ballerini, 32, premiered the stunning visual while performing her final 2025 shows in Australia over the weekend. The vulnerable song opens up about jealousy and insecurities, and the singer seeks support from her partner: “Never known this shade of envy/ Just tell me I’m your Emerald City.” The ballad, with a clever nod to the Wizard of Oz, appears on Ballerini’s latest 6-track EP, Mount Pleasant.

Ballerini said on Wednesday evening that she “wanted this video to first and foremost play whimsy homage to the land of oz, but have wells of metaphors layered throughout that honor the heart of the song,” she wrote in her caption. She also pointed out that some commenters have noticed “some of the symbolism, but *ahem*…tin woman…?!” Ballerini encouraged fans to “go enjoy” the video, and credited director Patrick Tracy as “the wizard behind this.”

Mount Pleasant also includes “I Sit In Parks,” “People Pleaser,” “587,” “The Revisionist” and “Check On Your Friends.” Ballerini said when the EP arrived last month that it’s “a chapter of heavy self examination, longing, and stepping further into who I am as a 32 year old woman.” The project followed her Grammy-nominated studio record, Patterns, which made its debut in October 2024 and expanded with a deluxe edition earlier this year. Ballerini said in a caption on TikTok that 2025 was “somehow the best and the worst at the same time,” reminiscing on some of the milestone moments she’s marked. As she plans to “go exist in real life,” the singer-songwriter encouraged others to “remember to be kind to each other, especially during the holidays. Everyone is going through something and feels it differently and deeply.” Watch the “Emerald City” music video here: