Overview

• A representative for Ballerini confirmed on Sept. 14 that she and Stokes ended their nearly three-year relationship, with the news given to People and E! News.
• On Sept. 23, Ballerini shared a TikTok soundtracked to Ariana Grande’s “shut up,” captioned to address “speculators,” “sources,” and paparazzi, urging people to let them be.
• Us Weekly reports that Ballerini initiated the conversation to separate after a stretch of frequent arguments, poor communication, and heavy travel.
• Sources told People the pair tried to make the relationship work before deciding they could not, describing the split as two adults giving it their all.
• Stokes has not issued a direct public statement about the breakup, and his affectionate Sept. 12 birthday tribute to Ballerini remains visible on Instagram.