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Chase Stokes shared cryptic messages on his Instagram story on Thursday (November 20). The since-removed stories follow speculation about his relationship status with Kelsea Ballerini.
News broke in September that Stokes, 33, and Ballerini, 32, parted ways after more than two years of dating. The couple recently sparked rumors that they're back together after they were reportedly spotted holding hands and sitting closely with one another in Croatia (one unnamed “insider” told US Weekly earlier this month that “Kelsea and Chase are giving their relationship another try”); however, neither of them have publicly commented on reports of their breakup or reconciliation.
“Don’t believe the media,” Stokes said on his Instagram story on Thursday. “I’m blocked, I did nothing wrong. Sorry,” he wrote with a red heart emoji. “I tried.”
On the second slide of his story, the Outer Banks actor added, “I’m sorry for those who believed in us. It is what it is. Onwards and upwards.”
Stokes has not further commented on his Instagram story, and Ballerini has not commented as of publication time. Earlier this week, Stokes called out commenters on Ballerini’s TikTok: “https://country.iheart.com/content/2025-11-17-chase-stokes-calls-out-commenters-on-kelsea-ballerinis-tiktok-grow-up/.”
Stokes’ latest comments arrive hours after Ballerini took the stage at the 59th CMA Awards on Wednesday night (November 19) in Nashville, Tennessee (Stokes was absent from the event). Ballerini performed her vulnerable ballad, “I Sit In Parks,” from her new 6-track EP, Mount Pleasant. The Bridgestone Arena stage transformed into a park — and even abruptly rained on the singer-songwriter — as she sang the contemplative ballad. Ballerini previously said she’s “always made records – whether songs, EPs or albums – to capture a moment in time. (Mount Pleasant, which takes on the same name as an Outer Banks filming location in South Carolina, marks) a chapter of heavy self-examination, longing, and stepping further into who I am as a 32-year old woman.”