Outer Banks star Chase Stokes has shared a pair of pointed messages on social media following his split from country artist Kelsea Ballerini, posting hours after she walked the 59th annual CMA Awards red carpet solo in Nashville.
Stokes took to Instagram Stories on November 20 to weigh in on the situation with brief statements that seemed to address headlines and fan chatter surrounding the high-profile breakup.
Chase Stokes Addresses Breakup On Instagram
In his first Story, Stokes wrote, "Don’t believe the media. I’m blocked. I did nothing wrong. Sorry. I tried." The actor followed minutes later with a second note: "I’m sorry for those who believed in us. It is what it is. Onwards and upwards."
The posts arrived less than a day after Ballerini appeared at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19, for the CMA Awards, where she opted to arrive without a date. The 32-year-old wore a striking red strapless tulle gown paired with matching heels as she made her solo entrance.
Stokes, 33, and Ballerini had been a closely watched pairing ever since they went public in early 2023. Their breakup surfaced after nearly three years together, putting an end — at least for now — to one of pop culture’s buzziest crossovers between television and country music.
Inside Their On-And-Off Timeline
Stokes and Ballerini first sparked dating rumors in January 2023 and quickly became a regular presence on each other’s social media feeds and at public events. Earlier this year, the couple quietly hit a rough patch and went their separate ways, but the split didn’t stick.
According to a source quoted by Us Weekly at the time, the two "never really stopped being in touch after their brief split" and "picked up where they left off" when they reconnected in Europe this fall. The source added that Ballerini "wanted to give it another chance and missed Chase a lot."
The recent Instagram notes from Stokes come after that rekindling — and after renewed interest in the relationship intensified thanks to public appearances and new music releases. While the pair had kept much of their private life relatively low-key, their profiles ensured that fans followed every development closely.
Music, Lyrics & Fan Speculation
Ballerini released her new EP, Mount Pleasant, on November 14, and has been previewing tracks across social platforms. In a TikTok clip, she shared a raw snippet of the song "People Pleaser," featuring vulnerable lyrics that resonated with listeners: "What does it mean? Keeps getting sadder / Was it sixteen that made me not matter? / Was it Logan or Robby? Cheer captain named Carly / That made the cut deeper and messed up my body? I’ll keep being sweeter, but at my demise / Call me people pleaser and damn if they’re right."
She captioned the video, "For my fellow people pleasers. I see you," which sparked a wave of responses and interpretations in the comments. The conversation escalated days later, when some fans began to theorize about the inspiration behind another new track, "Emerald City."
Amid the speculation, Stokes stepped in. On November 17, the actor responded to comments he felt crossed a line, writing, "These comments are f***ing weird. Grow up." While he didn’t clarify which remarks he was addressing, some social media users had suggested that "Emerald City" might reference Stokes’ ex and former Outer Banks costar, Madelyn Cline — a claim that remains unconfirmed. In the song’s chorus, Ballerini sings, "If I got you, why does she still get me? / I hate to say it, but damn, she’s pretty / Never known this shade of envy / Just tell me I’m your Emerald City."
Neither Stokes nor Ballerini has identified the subjects of the new songs, and both have largely avoided commenting directly on fan theories. The latest posts from Stokes, paired with Ballerini’s recent solo red carpet moment, suggest the couple is choosing to keep the specifics of their split private while acknowledging the public attention that surrounds them.
Public Spotlight On A Private Breakup
Stokes’ remarks — both his defense of boundaries in comment sections and his succinct Instagram Stories — underline the pressures that come with a high-profile relationship. As an actor at the center of a hit streaming series and a chart-topping country star, the pair has faced intense scrutiny each time their status shifted.
For now, the messages serve as Stokes’ clearest acknowledgment of the breakup. The refrains of "I tried" and "Onwards and upwards" are straightforward, suggesting a desire to move forward without feeding the rumor mill.
Meanwhile, Ballerini continues to spotlight her music, steering fan attention toward Mount Pleasant and its emotionally direct songwriting. Her willingness to share personal lyrics on social media has invited conversation — and sometimes speculation — but it has also connected with listeners who see themselves in her words.
As with many celebrity breakups, the details may remain between the two of them. What’s certain is that the Outer Banks star and the country singer are asking fans to keep the discourse respectful while they navigate a very public change in private.
