Kelsea Ballerini Says 'Patterns' Is 'Sorting Through Baggage' with Chase Stokes: 'We're Both Really Proud of That'

Mar. 15, 2025

Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini in Texas in April 2023.Photo:Jeff Kravitz/Getty

Jeff Kravitz/Getty

Kelsea Balleriniis putting her “heartfirst” on her new album when it comes to her romance withChase Stokes.

In a cover story interview withWomen’s Healthon Tuesday, Oct. 15, the country star, 31, opened up about how her upcoming fifth albumPatternsdives into the work she and her boyfriend, 32, have done in their relationship.

When discussingPatterns— which is due Oct. 25 — Ballerini revealed that the project is “notnota record full of love,” but instead tackles “the nuance of it.”

Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini in Malibu in July 2023.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

“It’s the in-between moments,” she told the outlet. “How do we get to the happy-go-lucky, mushy-gushy phase?This is the process, but it took a lot of sorting through baggage together. I think we’re both really proud of that.”

She also noted that since Stokes “is also a Virgo” like her, they’re “very kindred in 90 percent of the ways.”

“It’s been such a beautiful journey to figure out how to be in a relationship with someone who’s truly a mirror of you,” Ballerini said. “It’s taken a lot of really intentional work, and you hear that throughout this new album.”

Earlier this week, the “Mountain with a View” artist revealed in aTikTokwhere she wasusing a filter where she had to rankthe characters ofOuter Banksthatshe doesn’t actually watch the show.

“what i do know… the new season is 🤌,” Ballerini captioned the clip

After one user wrote, “Kelsea you just need to watch the show 😭 🤍,” Ballerini offered an explanation as to why she hasn’t done so.

“Because he and i have a deal!” she said. “But I’ve seen so much of this season and it’s badass 🤍 NO FURTHER QUESTIONS YOUR HONOR.”

Kelsea Ballerini for ‘Women’s Health’.Caleb & Gladys for Women’s Health

Caleb & Gladys for Women’s Health

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Ballerini and Stokes initially sparked dating rumors in January 2023 after theUgliesactorposted a cuddly photo of themat the Georgia vs. TCU game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Afterteasing their romance in a handful of interviews, the pair went public with their relationship on the CMT Awards red carpet in April 2023.

source: people.com