Kelsea Ballerini’s recent move to New York City following her breakup with Outer Banks star Chase Stokes has been explained.

The 32-year-old singer-songwriter shared that she relocated from Tennessee to NYC during An Evening with the Grand Ole Opry held at Carnegie Hall on March 20, 2026.

"Ever since I was a little kid and I got here for the first time, I always promised myself that I would do a season or chapter of life in the city and that season and chapter is right now," Ballerini told the audience, per Knoxville newspaper Knox News.

The Grammy-nominated artist later clarified that the move is temporary.

"I'm not permanently moving," she told E! News at the 2026 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards on Tuesday, April 7.

The Cowboys Cry Too hitmaker added, "I'm just there through the summer, and I'm loving it so much."

Ballerini also shared that she is enjoying exploring new experiences in the city.

"I feel this resurgence of energy just doing stuff for myself," she said. "It's been really nice, and I'm really excited."

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes' relationship timeline

Ballerini's update on her living situation comes nearly eight months after reports revealed she was no longer romantically linked to Stokes.

The former couple first sparked dating rumours in January 2023 and went public with their relationship at the 2023 CMT Awards in April.

After nearly three years together, Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes broke up in September 2025, briefly reconciled in December, and ultimately split again after five weeks.