Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini Call it Quits

Isabella Mayse, Staff Writer

October 27, 2025

Three years ended after one decision.. What happened to Kelsea and Chase?

In a move that surprised many fans, country pop star Kelsea Ballerini and Outer Banks star Chase Stokes have confirmed their breakup after about 3 years of dating. The announcement that came on September 14, 2025, marks the end of a beloved. Many are already talking about the fallout’s results, especially for the hit Netflix show that brought Stokes a lot of publicity.

A Relationship Under the Spotlight

Stokes and Ballerini’s relationship first became public in early 2023, after months of hints and appearances. Over the years, they navigated the challenge of balancing two very public-facing careers, long-distance travel, and unique demands. Ballerini confirmed the breakup, describing it as a decision between “two adults who gave it their all,” but concluded they couldn’t make it work. Many are saying the timing is strange because of the heartfelt birthday tribute Stokes posted to Ballerini on Instagram, writing, “happy birthday my love … looking forward to more of this.” That outpouring of affection, followed by a sudden public end, caused a lot of speculation.

How the Chase Stokes Kelsea Ballerini Breakup Is Affecting Outer Banks

Although breakups are usually a private matter, this breakup has explicitly caused a lot of attention, especially towards the show’s devoted fan base. As the face of John B. Stokes, he is a significant part of the Outer Banks identity, and his relationship with Ballerini has become part of the bigger story, both on and off screen.

How the Breakup is Affecting the Brand

This breakup is unlikely to change the plot of any upcoming seasons of The Outer Banks, but it might change how the show is perceived. When actors are linked to a drama, it can often affect how their show is marketed. With Season 5 confirmed as the chapter, directors will hopefully continue to focus on the characters’ journey rather than the drama that follows them. This could impact Stoke’s career with more carefully curated press tours, fewer meet-and-greets, etc. Given the circumstances of both wrapping a show and ending a serious relationship, people around Stokes should work hard to strike the right tone during the promotional run.

What This Means for Outer Banks

As the fifth and final season comes, the team is focused on creating a close with impact. From one emotional twist to the next, the series has built a reputation for wild experiences and intense friendships, but not for real-world relationship issues. Stokes will definitely face a lot of pressure from fans who will be watching closely to see how Stokes carries himself through the final season. Ultimately, this breakup is a reminder of how blurred the lines can get between actors and the characters they play. When a show becomes this popular and inspires this level of passion, fans tend to grab onto everything, even if it is off-camera. This was especially seen with the breakup of Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline.

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About the Contributor

Isabella Mayse, Staff Writer

Isabella Mayse is a Senior at Santiago High School, and her favorite subject is English. She loves to spend her time in the ocean or exploring new coffee shops. Although this is her first year in journalism, she hopes to improve and grow her creativity and writing skills. Isabella has many passions, one being writing. She started to realize her love for writing in earlier grades and continued to show interest throughout high school. Although this is Isabella’s last year in high school, she wanted to experience journalism to improve her writing skills. She is also very passionate about ocean life and runs a club to organize beach clean-ups. She plans to use her writing skills to advocate for unsafe beach environments. Isabella has worked at an ice cream shop for about a year now to gain work experience and to observe an efficient and successful business. She plans to major in business to utilize the skills she has already learned. When she isn’t at work or school, she can be seen at the beach or finding new music. In the future, Isabella hopes to get a business degree while also utilizing her writing skills in her career. She hopes to be a part of a big company and make a positive impact in whatever she is pursuing. You can contact her at [email protected]