Kelsea Ballerini’s ex-lovers are on it.
The 32-year-old country singer’s ex-boyfriend, actor Chase Stokes, has spoken out in defense of the “Cowboys Cry Too” singer after ex-husband Morgan Evans spoke out about their divorce on Bobby Bones’ podcast “The Bobby Cast.”
“This is the most pathetic excuse for masculinity I’ve ever seen. Live a shitty life,” Stokes wrote in a since-deleted comment under an Instagram post featuring a clip from the podcast.
Bones later shared a screenshot of the deleted comment on his Instagram as part of a video defending Evans. The host emphasized that Evans has not spoken publicly about the divorce, saying on the podcast that “I thought he did a really good job” and that “he was very kind in his explanation and interpretation of events.”
In response to the criticism, Evans posted a series of photos on Instagram of himself doing typically male activities, such as carrying a heavy mini-fridge or chopping wood, with the caption: “Feeling pretty masculine today.”
Bones also wrote in the comment section, “It made me laugh.”
Ballerini put in her two cents on Friday after the exchange between her two exes, posting a meme on her Instagram Story that read, “And for the ladies, maybe a break from the affair?”
Appearing on Bones’ podcast, Evans said it was unexpected to hear that Ballerini wanted a divorce.
“I wasn’t expecting that conversation, no,” he said. “Maybe it was me being naive, but I definitely wasn’t. I was surprised. That whole moment is so blurry. Just from where I’m sitting right now, I feel like a different person. I just turn around and think, ‘Oh my god.'”
Evans and Ballerini were married for nearly five years before announcing in August 2022 that they had filed for divorce.
Following the divorce, Ballerini released a six-song EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, in February 2023, which she confirmed was about her breakup with Evans.
Shortly after her divorce from Evans, Ballerini began dating the “Outer Banks” star, and she and Stokes made their red carpet debut together at the CMT Music Awards in April 2023.
The two separated in September 2025 before briefly reconciling in December 2025.
“It seemed a lot more dramatic than it actually was. And it was very educational for us,” she told Entertainment Tonight about the settlement.
“But he is — I love him so much. We’ve been together for quite a while now and have been through a lot of life together. And I love love and I believe in love. And I’m also a big believer in finding what makes you happy, finding what you want to work on, and when the rubber meets the road, figuring out how to make it happen.”
Despite wanting to work things out, she and Stokes said they would call it quits for good in early 2026.
