Kelsea Ballerini was “having the time of my life” as she celebrated securing her spot on the 2023 TIME 100 Next list and appeared on the cover of the publication. Ballerini attended and performed at the New York gala wearing a stunning black dress with sultry cutouts, joined by boyfriend and Outer Banks star Chase Stokes. The couple posed for a few flirty, steamy snapshots with one another on Tuesday evening (October 24).
Ballerini was revealed as the TIME cover star the morning after she made her powerful MTV VMA awards debut, which happened on her 30th birthday. Throughout her Q&A with TIME, Ballerini reflected on her whirlwind year (including the release of her deeply personal Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, her Saturday Night Live debut, her headlining “HEARTFIRST Tour,” her controversial performance with drag queens at the CMT Music Awards, and more). She said at that time that she’s “wired like a workhorse,” and spoke about aiming to blaze new trails for future artists in country music.
Ballerini shared a video on her Instagram story earlier in the day on Tuesday, sharing a glimpse of her rehearsal for the TIME 100 Next event later that evening. She was performing her hit Subject To Change anthem “If You Go Down (I’m Goin Down Too)” as she said “tonight will be special.” The Knoxville, Tennessee-born singer-songwriter also shared glimpses of her wardrobe in photos by photographer Cibelle Levi, her TIME cover, pictures with Stokes and more.
Stokes’ latest series of Instagram photos — “insert witty caption here” — includes a few moments with Ballerini, including a romantic snapshot on the first slide. The couple sat with cocktails at a bar, closing their eyes and smiling as Stokes kissed the top of Ballerini’s head. See some of the photos form the Time 100 Next event below.