Kelsea Ballerini has released a new EP entitled Mount Pleasant, which appears to be inspired by the town where she spent considerable time while dating Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes.
The couple reportedly began dating in 2023, officially announcing their relationship on the red carpet at the CMT Music Awards in April. They parted ways in September, but have recently been seen together and are believed to be reconciling, according to multiple sources including Us Weekly, Elle, Taste of Country, and InStyle.
Ballerini’s EP, released on 14 November, reflects some of the challenges she faced during her relationship with Stokes. In her new track 587, she explicitly references Mount Pleasant.
Excerpt from 587:
“587, 587 / Baby, that’s the distance, path of least resistance / 587, here to Mount Pleasant / Got me reminiscing / It used to be a quick flight / By midnight we were kissing in the harbour / Now you’ve never felt farther.”
During Stokes’ filming of the Netflix hit in Charleston from 2023 into 2024, Ballerini frequently visited. The singer and The Voice coach has been spotted at local favourites including The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island, Record Stop in downtown Charleston, the Old Village, and True Blues House of Wings in Mount Pleasant.
She told Apple Maps’ curated Hyperlocal guide:
“One thing you should always know about me is I’m going to find a karaoke bar, and Blues Bar is that go-to spot for me in Charleston. It’s kind of a hole-in-the-wall in a strip mall, and that’s everything you need to know. I’ll see you there!”
Ballerini also performed at the North Charleston Coliseum in April. In an interview with The Post and Courier, she described Charleston as:
“It’s my second home at this point. It’s really cool to play shows in cities that have my heart tied to them, whether that be Nashville or Charleston. I have friends there, obviously, because I live there part-time, and I get to go home after the show. It’ll be extra special to get to do that.”
Over recent weeks, Stokes and Ballerini have been seen holding hands in Scotland and Croatia, where part of the latest season of Outer Banks is reportedly being filmed. A source told Us Weekly that the pair have rekindled their romance “very naturally.”
Previously, Stokes was in a relationship with his Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline, which ended in November 2021.
Relationship Timeline:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 (April) | Ballerini and Stokes officially announce relationship at CMT Music Awards |
| 2023–2024 | Ballerini visits Charleston frequently while Stokes films Outer Banks |
| 2023 (September) | Couple splits |
| 2024 (recent weeks) | Seen together in Scotland and Croatia, reportedly reconciling |