Chase Stokes has shared a cryptic message following his split from country star Kelsea Ballerini.
The Outer Banks actor took to his Instagram Stories on November 20 to share the statement hours after his now ex-girlfriend walked the red carpet at the Country Music Awards.
In the post, Stokes wrote, “Don’t believe the media. I’m blocked. I did nothing wrong. Sorry. I tried.”
Minutes later, he shared a second message, writing, “I’m sorry for those who believed in us. It is what it is. Onwards and upwards.”
Stokes’ comments come shortly after Ballerini appeared solo at the 59th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 19, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
The 32-year-old walked the red carpet in a striking red strapless tulle gown paired with matching heels.
Stokes, 33, and Ballerini first began dating in January 2023. Though the pair split earlier this year after two years together, their breakup didn’t last long — the two reconnected in Europe this fall.
At the time, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that Ballerini and Stokes “never really stopped being in touch after their brief split,” adding that they “picked up where they left off” and that Ballerini “wanted to give it another chance and missed Chase a lot.”
The 32-year-old just released a new EP, Mount Pleasant on November 14.
After the album dropped, Ballerini shared a snippet of the track “People Pleaser” on TikTok, giving fans a raw look at some of its most emotional lyrics.
“What does it mean? Keeps getting sadder / Was it sixteen that made me not matter?” she sings in the clip. “Was it Logan or Robby? Cheer captain named Carly / That made the cut deeper and messed up my body? I’ll keep being sweeter, but at my demise / Call me people pleaser and damn if they’re right.”
She captioned the video, “For my fellow people pleasers. I see you.”
Shortly after, Stokes weighed in on the reactions flooding the comments section.
The actor called out some fans for their behavior, writing on November 17, “These comments are f***ing weird. Grow up.”
The specific comments the actor was speaking about is unclear but some believe he was referring to those claiming one of Kelsea’s new songs, “Emerald City,” is about Stokes’ ex and former costar Madelyn Cline.
In the chorus she sings, “If I got you, why does she still get me? /I hate to say it, but damn, she’s pretty / Never known this shade of envy / Just tell me I’m your Emerald City.”
