Grammys 2026: Kelsea Ballerini Says Chase Stokes Reconciliation Wasn't As "Dramatic" As It Seemed

At the 2026 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Feb. 1, Kelsea Ballerini provided a glimpse at her relationship with Chase Stokes, who she reconciled with in December following a three-month breakup. 

By Leah Degrazia Feb 02, 2026 1:59 AM
| Updated Feb 02, 2026 4:28 AM
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Watch: Grammys 2026: Why "Chronic Oversharer" Kelsea Ballerini Is "Reining It In"

Kelsea Ballerini will always put her heart first. 

The "This Feeling" singer stepped out for the 2026 Grammy Awards at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 1, and while walking the red carpet for the event, she provided insight into her rekindled relationship with Chase Stokes. (For every star who showed out at the 2026 Grammys, click here.)

Indeed, the pair announced their breakup in September 2025 following two years of dating, but shared that they reconnected in December—a back and forth that Kelsea said wasn't as "dramatic" as it may have appeared to the public. 

"I feel like outwardly, it looked a lot more dramatic than it was," the singer told Entertainment Tonight ahead of the big night in music. "And that was quite the learning lesson for us."

In fact, Kelsea shared that Chase was there to support her as she geared up for the big night in music. 

"We’ve been together for quite a while now and done a lot of life together and he was with me getting ready today and he’ll be with me when we wrap," she revealed. "I love love and I believe it in it."

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Grammys 2026: Winners List

And the 32-year-old isn't only feeling good about her love life as of late. Kelsea was just as thrilled to learn that her 2024 LP Patterns earned a nod for Best Contemporary Album at the 2026 ceremony, where it will face off against Tyler Childers' Snipe Hunter, Eric Church's Evangeline Vs. The Machine, Jelly Rolly's Beautifully Broken and Miranda Lambert's Postcards From Texas

After discovering the exciting news, the "Heartfirst" singer wrote on her Instagram Stories, "Oh my goodness..... Patterns is nominated for a Grammy!"

Of course, this isn't the first time Kelsea has been recognized by the Recording Academy. Back in 2017, the country singer scored her first-ever nod in the Best New Artist category—a moment that she will certainly never forget. 

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"It's one of the coolest things that's ever happened to me," Kelsea told E! News at the time. "I'm really excited. Really nervous."

And while Chance the Rapper wound up taking home the trophy that time around, Kelsea—who has gone on to receive five more nominations at the award show since then—still got the experience of a lifetime. 

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"I've never even been to the Grammys before," she told E! in 2017. "I'm just the fangirl who's seen it on TV every year."

Kelsea added, "To be able to go this year and have a reason to go this year is insane."

For all the stars who stunned at the 2026 Grammy Awards hosted by Trevor Noah, keep reading. 

Sabrina Carpenter

in custom Valentino and Chopard jewelry. 

Teyana Taylor

in Tom Ford and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. 

Chappell Roan

in custom Mugler. 

Justin Bieber & Hailey Bieber

in Balenciaga and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry (Justin) and Alaïa and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry (Hailey). 

Tate McRae

in Balenciaga and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. 

Jelly Roll & Bunnie Xo

in custom Louis Vuitton, Happy Jewelers jewelry and custom Bowen Bootwear (Jelly Roll). 

Lady Gaga

in custom Matieres Fecales. 

Billie Eilish

in custom Hodakova. 

Miley Cyrus

in Celine and Pomellato jewelry. 

Olivia Dean

in Chanel and Cartier jewelry. 

Kesha

in Atelier Biser. 

Benson Boone

in Giorgio Armani. 

Halle Bailey

in Paolo Sebastian. 

Jennifer Hudson

in custom Kilian Kerner. 

Kelly Osbourne

in Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Jack Antonoff

Ty Dolla Sign

Karol G

in Paolo Sebastian, Jacob & Co. jewelry and Gianvito Rossi shoes.

Jon Batiste

in Christian Louboutin shoes. 

Trevor Noah

in Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Christian Louboutin shoes. 

Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral & Marcello Hernández

Chaka Khan

Summer Walker

in Walter Mendez Atelier and Sterling Forever jewelry. 

Busta Rhymes

Chrissy Teigen & John Legend

in Caroline’s Couture and Chopard jewelry (Teigen) and custom Louis Vuitton and Hublot watch (Legend). 

Nikki Glaser

in Nicolas Jebran, Le Silla shoes, Tyler Ellis bag, YEPREM and Messika jewelry. 

Bad Bunny

in custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture and Cartier jewelry.

Doechii

in custom Roberto Cavalli and Chopard jewelry.

Pharrell Williams & Helen Lasichanh

in custom Louis Vuitton. 

Kirk Franklin

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Watch the Grammys 2026 Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.