Kelsea Ballerini Steals the Show in Ethereal Gown at 2026 ACM Awards After Chase Stokes Reunion

Kelsea Ballerini is calling dibs on owning the red carpet all by herself.

While attending the 2026 ACM Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, Ballerini, 32, showed up solo after a few public reunions with ex Chase Stokes.

The country music superstar wowed fashion lovers with her ethereal Roberto Cavalli dress, which included a short train. She completed her look with curly locks and hair pins that matched the design of her dress.

It’s about to be a special night for Ballerini, who is once again nominated for Female Artist of the Year alongside Ella Langley, Megan Maroney, Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert.

While some fans remain focused on her music and career, others can’t help but also be curious about Ballerini’s dating life.

Days before the ACM Awards, DeuxMoi spotted Ballerini taking a stroll with Stokes, 33, in New York City. In April, the pair were also seen spending time together in the Big Apple.

Despite the hangouts, a source exclusively shared with Us Weekly that the duo are not back together.

“There’s always a feeling of unfinished business with them, and both feel it’s hard to fully close the door on the relationship,” one source explained to Us. “Chase was visiting NYC for separate commitments and asked her to meet up. They knew there was a chance they’d be seen, but are OK with it since they are on good terms now.”

Ballerini and Stokes first sparked romance rumors in January 2023 when the Outer Banks actor posted a photo cozying up to the country singer.

Since then, the couple have been in an on-again, off-again romance. (Us broke the news in February that they had split for at least the third time.)

Relationships aside, Ballerini appears to be working on being her best self as she calls New York City her new home.

“I’m loving this chapter of life just because I really feel like I’m being really intentional about connecting to myself,” she said on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle in April. “Also, being off the road right now. This is my first time not touring in a while and being somewhere new and making new friends. I just haven’t had the time to invest in myself like that for a while.”

While Ballerini’s summer schedule may be a bit more open than usual, she’s still finding ways to connect with her fans.

She will perform at the Barefoot Country Music Festival in New Jersey this June before ending the month as the headliner for the 2026 DICK’S Open concert at En-Joie Golf Course in New York on Friday, June 26.