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Carly Pearce opened up about supporting fellow singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini through her split from Morgan Evans, as Ballerini was there for Pearce through her own divorce two years ago.
“Kelsea was there for me through mine. I'm there for her through hers,” Pearce told Entertainment Tonight at the CMT Artists of the Year celebration in Nashville, Tennessee, hosted on Wednesday night (October 12). The show airs on Friday (October 14). Pearce was honored as one of CMT’s Artists of the Year, along with Kane Brown, Walker Hayes and others. Referencing her collaboration on Ballerini’s latest album, “You’re Drunk, Go Home,” which also includes powerhouse artist and fellow divorcee Kelly Clarkson, Pearce added: “And Kelly just is the queen, so let's go.”
Ballerini, 29, announced in a heartbreaking statement on her Instagram story in late August that she and Evans, her husband of nearly five years, were calling it quits. Ballerini opened up at the time: “This is now public record so I wanted you to hear from me directly that I am going through a divorce. This deeply difficult decision is the result of a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end. It’s hard to find the words here…but I feel extremely grateful for the years of marriage to Morgan and hopeful for the next seasons. With very active schedules coming up, please be mindful that we are both fragile, actively healing, and showing up the best we can.”
Evans, 37, confirmed the divorce in his own statement later that day. The singer-songwriter said: “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.”
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Pearce filed for divorce from country artist Michael Ray in June 2020, ending the relationship after dating since 2018 and eight months of marriage. Months after filing for divorce, Pearce opened up in an interview with PEOPLE: “It was awful. It is awful. But I think that what's been awesome has been trusting myself and trusting what I have always known, which is God won't take me through something that he won't bring me out of or bring good from.”
Ray also spoke about the divorce, telling Entertainment Tonight last year that he feels, “like, I came out, I’m good.” Ray said he endured some “dark times,” but believes “my problems are no bigger than anybody else's problems…I don't wanna relive it. I don’t wanna sing about it. I don't wanna go back to it. So why don't we all move forward and let's put out a record that shows the growth, not the stagnant part of life.”
Pearce has often been open about her heartbreak and healing in her songwriting, including on her 15-track album 29: Written In Stone, which released last year. She premiered her latest, emotional music video this week, bringing new life to “What He Didn’t Do.” The video to that single is one that Pearce said felt “like the perfect way to end my chapter of 29.” It’s a song that she explained has evolved over time and serves as a signal of moving on: “I think the best revenge is that you’re better off without ‘em.”
Ballerini, whose latest album was largely inspired by 90s country, included a few heartbreak tracks and referenced couples therapy with her estranged husband in the song “Doin’ My Best.” She joined forces with Pearce and Clarkson on the “sassbomb” anthem, “You’re Drunk, Go Home.” Listen to it here: