All in the same day, Kelsea Ballerini finalized her divorce from ex-husband Morgan Evans and picked up the keys to her new home.
It all happened on Tuesday (November 15), the same day Ballerini learned that she was nominated for a GRAMMY award for her hit single “HEARTFIRST,” the first song she released from her latest studio album, Subject To Change. Ballerini shared her emotional reaction when she got the news. She’s nominated in the Best Country Solo Performance category, along with Zach Bryan’s “Something In The Orange,” Miranda Lambert’s “In His Arms,” Maren Morris’ “Circles Around This Town” and Willie Nelson’s “Live Forever.”
Ballerini performed at the legendary Grand Ole Opry that night, where she told the audience: “The truth is that this morning I started my day at the courthouse finalizing my divorce, and then getting nominated for a Grammy, and then getting the keys to my dream home, and now standing in the circle of the Opry. …And sh*t, if that ain’t country music, I don’t know what is.”
Ballerini, 29, was first to announce that she and fellow singer-songwriter Evans, 37, were calling it quits. She said in a statement on her Instagram story in August that it was a “deeply difficult decision” that stemmed from “a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end. …please be mindful that we are both fragile, actively healing, and showing up the best we can.”
Evans — who recently premiered a music video for his heartbreak ballad that released amid the divorce — followed up with his own statement later that day, sharing: “I am very sad to confirm that after almost 5 years of marriage, Kelsea and I are parting ways. I wish it were otherwise but sadly it is not.”
The couple reached a settlement last month. They reportedly both “vacated the marital residence,” listed the home for sale and divided furniture and other items in the divorce.