Kelsea Ballerini Steals the Spotlight at the 2026 ACM Awards After Reuniting With Chase Stokes

Kelsea Ballerini rolled up to the 2026 ACM Awards like she had the entire carpet to herself. No plus-one, no drama on her arm — just the dress, the nomination, and the very loud hum of people wondering what is or isn’t happening with her and Chase Stokes.

The entrance

Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (May 17), Ballerini, 32, arrived solo and very much in statement mode. The fit: an ethereal Roberto Cavalli gown with a short train, plus curly hair and matching hair pins that echoed the dress’s detailing. It read: I’m good, thanks for asking.

The hardware she’s chasing

She’s back in the Female Artist of the Year race, up against Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert. Not exactly a soft bracket.

The Chase Stokes of it all

Because this is awards season and we can’t have nice, simple things, the ex factor crept in just days before the show. DeuxMoi spotted Ballerini walking with Stokes, 33 (yep, the Outer Banks guy), in New York City right before the ACMs — and they were also seen together in NYC in April.

Are they back together? According to Us Weekly’s sourcing, no. The gist: he was in town for other reasons and asked to meet up; they knew they might get spotted and didn’t mind, because they’re on good terms now. If that feels messy, well, welcome to their timeline — they first sparked dating talk in January 2023 when he posted a cozy pic, spent the next year-plus in on-off mode, and by February of this year Us was reporting they had split for at least the third time.

"There’s always a feeling of unfinished business with them, and both feel it’s hard to fully close the door on the relationship."

The New York chapter

Ballerini’s currently calling New York City home and sounds pretty content about it. In April on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle, she said she’s intentionally focused on reconnecting with herself — not on tour for the first time in a while, settling into a new city, and actually making time for new friends. Translation: less buses and arenas, more real life for a minute.

Where to find her next

Even with a lighter summer, she’s not vanishing. She’ll hit the Barefoot Country Music Festival in New Jersey in June, then close out the month headlining the 2026 DICK’S Open concert at En-Joie Golf Course in New York on Friday, June 26.

Quick timeline

• Jan 2023: Stokes posts a photo with Ballerini, sparking dating rumors.
• On and off ensues; by Feb 2026, Us reports they’ve split for at least the third time.
• April 2026: The pair are seen hanging out in NYC; Ballerini tells Today she’s focusing on herself and settling into New York.
• Days before May 17, 2026: DeuxMoi spots them strolling in NYC again; a source says they’re not back together.
• May 17, 2026: Ballerini goes solo at the ACMs in Las Vegas, in Roberto Cavalli, nominated for Female Artist of the Year.
• June 2026: She plays the Barefoot Country Music Festival in New Jersey, then headlines the DICK’S Open concert at En-Joie Golf Course on Friday, June 26.