Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans, two country singers, had a romantic beginning to their relationship that could be the stuff of movies. They fell in love after meeting at an award show in Morgan’s native country of Australia in 2016. After the show, they decided to take tequila shots together, ending up being the deal-sealer for their romance.
The couple continued their courtship and got married in December 2017 in a stunning ceremony in Mexico, where they again toasted with tequila alongside their guests. Although their love was strong, they experienced some bumps in the road. For instance, Kelsea jokingly revealed that Evans burnt the pancakes while proposing to her in December 2016.
Sadly, their love story ended in 2022 when they announced their split. Nevertheless, their story inspires those who believe in love and the power of connection.
After teasing Morgan Evans about his proposal in the kitchen, Kelsea Ballerini took to Instagram to express her love for him, calling it the greatest gift of her life. The couple’s love story inspired Evans’ 2018 album Things That We Drink To.
He revealed that many of the songs on the album were about his relationship with Ballerini, chronicling his journey of chasing a Country Music dream, leaving everything behind, and starting anew.
The album conveyed a range of emotions and experiences that came with the journey, including excitement, uncertainty, loneliness, and struggle. It also touched on the themes of loss and perseverance while highlighting the artist’s love story, from meeting to marrying the love of his life.
Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans’ romance had an instant connection, which led to their quick courtship. The country singer had reservations about marriage, given her parents’ divorce, but Evans changed her mind. She felt safe and protected in his love, and three years into their marriage, Evans still considered himself the luckiest man alive.
In December 2020, he took to Instagram to post a cozy picture with his wife, celebrating their third anniversary. In September 2021, Ballerini celebrated her birthday, and Evans praised her for bringing out the artist and poet in him. The “I Quit Drinking” singer returned the favor by acknowledging her husband’s sweet gesture on her special day.
Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans’ romantic journey was full of sweet moments, including when Evans ran through a restaurant with a dozen roses for his wife. However, less than a year after this loving gesture, Ballerini filed for divorce, sharing the news with her fans on Instagram. She expressed gratitude for the years they had spent together and the effort they had put into their relationship, but ultimately recognized that their love had ended. Despite the difficult decision, she remained hopeful for the future.
Scroll down to see the sweetest moments between Ballerini and Evans:
March 2016
Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans first met while cohosting the Country Music Channel Awards in Australia. After the show ended, Ballerini asked Evans to take a shot, which led to their first kiss that same night, and the beginning of their romantic relationship.
December 2016
Morgan Evans proposed to Kelsea Ballerini on Christmas Day, 2016, less than a year after they started dating.
December 2017
Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans tied the knot in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, almost one year after their engagement on Christmas Day.
August 2018
Kelsea Ballerini expressed her joy and pride for Morgan Evans after his song “Kiss Somebody” reached the top of the country music charts. She shared her feelings on Instagram and wrote, “Today, my guy’s song is the number one song in country music. I’ll spare you the sap, but watching his journey with this song over the last few years has made my heart explode with happiness. You did it, babe. #KissSomebody #Actuallyjustkissme.”
October 2018
In 2021, Kelsea Ballerini and her husband, Morgan Evans, teamed up to release the song “Dance With Me”. This collaboration came after Evans had previously worked as a backup vocalist on Ballerini’s album “Unapologetically”. The couple’s partnership in music is an extension of their love for each other, and fans are always excited to see them create and perform together. Despite their recent divorce, their collaborative work remains a testament to the bond they once shared.
June 2019
At the CMT Awards, Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans showed up together and looked like a dream team in matching white outfits. The couple flaunted their love for each other as they walked the red carpet arm in arm, making a stylish statement with their coordinated looks.
October 2020
Ballerini and Evans previously agreed not to collaborate as songwriters. However, while rerecording her self-titled album as an acoustic record due to the pandemic, they started writing together, despite Ballerini’s initial hesitation. She was worried that writing a love song about him, with him, would be strange and make her overthink. Nonetheless, the experience has turned out to be enjoyable for the couple.
“Yesterday was bittersweet for us as we said goodbye to our first home together. Over the last three years, that apartment in downtown Nashville has been the site of so many wonderful memories that we’ll cherish forever,” Evans shared on Instagram.
“We’ll miss that place and the people we met there, but we’re excited for the new adventures that await us in our new home in the suburbs. The photo we took as we left for the airport at 5 am might show two sleepy faces, but they’re also filled with gratitude for all the experiences we’ve shared together. Here’s to the next chapter in our love story!”
December 2020
In a post on Instagram, Kelsea Ballerini wrote that during their third year of marriage, she and her husband, Morgan Evans, were quarantined and they improved at playing Mario Kart, communicating, and cooking. She also wished her husband a happy anniversary.
January 2021
The couple traveled to the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee to take a break and “reset” following the challenges of 2020.
April 2021
The “Dibs” singer shared a series of cozy photos with Evans in honor of his 36th birthday, calling him “my guy.” The snaps included the couple jet skiing, boating, eating popcorn at the movies, and enjoying ice cream.
August 2021
During the Jonas Brothers’ Remember This tour, where Ballerini was a special guest, Evans showed support by wearing a shirt with his wife’s face on it. He also shared a playful picture with her, expressing his excitement to watch more of her shows.
September 2021
The “We Dream” singer shared a photo of the couple wearing matching cowboy hats in Connecticut. He captioned it with, “You can’t take the country (or the glitter) outta my girl 🤠” just days after celebrating Ballerini’s 28th birthday.
October 2021
The couple had a fun time on a trip to Virginia Beach, Virginia, riding a pedicab around the beach town.
March 2022
Ballerini and her husband looked stunning in coordinating black outfits at the ACM Awards. She wore a black Saint Laurent gown while he donned a matching black suit. Later, Ballerini performed a duet with Dolly Parton on stage.
April 2022
Ballerini expressed her admiration for her husband before the CMT Music Awards, which she cohosted-cohosted with Anthony Mackie and Kane Brown. Speaking on E! News Daily Pop, she mentioned that Evans is always present when she is emceeing an event.
Ballerini explained that her husband is her rock during such times because she is high-spirited and continuously on the go. She added that Evans is reliable and can keep her steady, which is essential, especially on an important night like the CMT Music Awards.
In 2022, Kelsea Ballerini tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the CMT Music Awards, which she was slated to cohost with Kane Brown and Anthony Mackie. Despite the diagnosis, she didn’t let that hold her back and continued to run the show from the comfort of her and her husband’s home.
Though her husband didn’t appear on camera during the show, he supported her, posing for photos on their makeshift red carpet, which they set up on their driveway.
Ballerini shared photos of herself and her husband on social media, with the caption “My kinda carpet ✌️ @cmt #cmtawards.” The snaps showed the couple standing on the pink carpet, with Evans donning a T-shirt and shorts while holding a stiff kombucha drink.
In contrast, Ballerini wore a stunning white Michael Kors suit with matching high heels. Despite the unique circumstances of the show, the couple was all smiles and showed their unwavering support for each other.
July 2022
Ballerini said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she and her husband don’t write music together. They already work in the same field, and it’s too much to bring work home. They show each other their work and are very honest with each other. If she believes in something, she’ll show it to him, even if he doesn’t like it. She thinks having someone in your inner circle give honest feedback on your work is essential.
August 2022
Ballerini filed for divorce and listed the date of separation as August 26. She asked for support from her fans on August 29 due to their busy schedules and energetic healing. Evans also spoke on social media the same day, confirming that they were ending their almost 5-year marriage. He expressed sadness about the situation and wished it were different.
October 2022
In “Over For You,” Evans draws from his personal experience to create a poignant and emotional song that resonates with many listeners. His honesty and vulnerability in the lyrics and in sharing his story have also earned him the support and appreciation of many fans.
November 2022
According to the US, in October, both musicians signed a marriage dissolution agreement, bringing them one step closer to finalizing their divorce. In November, two months after Kelsea Ballerini initially filed for divorce, the couple struck a divorce settlement.
Ballerini shared with the audience at the Grand Ole Opry about her last day in her marriage to Evans. She started her day finalizing her divorce, received a Grammy nomination, got the keys to her dream home, and performed at the Opry. She remarked that this sequence of events was a perfect example of country music.
February 2023
Ballerini released a six-song EP titled Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, with lyrics seemingly aimed at Evans and his breakup song “Over For You.” The lyrics read: “And now you’re saying that you’re lost, And that’s lost on me. Years of sitting across from me in therapy; I know the truth is hard to hear, but it wasn’t hard to find; Baby, were you blindsided or were you just blind?”
