Kelsea Ballerini Says She Got Her A– Kicked After Morgan Wallen Tweet
Kelsea Ballerini says that when she tweeted in February of 2021 about Morgan Wallen, who was caught on film yelling a racial slur, the reaction from fans on Twitter was…
Kelsea Ballerini says that when she tweeted in February of 2021 about Morgan Wallen, who was caught on film yelling a racial slur, the reaction from fans on Twitter was swift and harsh.
"The news out of Nashville tonight does not represent country music," she wrote. The reaction was quick, and the tweet got almost 700 comments, many of them supported her, but some did not and got angry about it. Most replies said that she was "wrong" about it not representing country music.
Kelsea told Yahoo Music of the new song on her album called "Doin' My Best," which addresses her tweet with lyrics that note that she got her "a-- kicked on Twitter," "Honestly, I haven't had Twitter since, and it was a good lesson for me. I think I'm a chronic people-pleaser, and being an artist and a public person, I've really had to learn how to stand up for things that I believe in. But sometimes, when you're doing that, you're going to stumble, and you're going to do it wrong."
She added, "And, you know, I didn't do it all the way right. … I think that the intention is one thing, but I think the rebuttal to [that Wallen tweet] was my not acknowledging the systematic racism that has occurred — which I fully understand. I stepped back; I listened, I learned … I got my a-- kicked, and I learned a lot from it. And I take ownership of that fully."
Ballerini is glad she left Twitter, saying, "And I also do not miss Twitter literally at all!"
Being less active on social media has helped Kelsea focus more on her mental health. She offered, "I honestly think it was after that incident that I kind of realized that I had a choice. It was like, 'Do I just shut up and just post the pretty parts of my life, and just not open myself up to this anymore?' Because I'm really sensitive and I feel it all, and I think that's what makes me good at my job. Or, 'Do I work on myself personally in therapy… and stay open and find the tools?'"
Kelsea Ballerini celebrates her 29th birthday today (9/12). While she is currently going through some challenging life changes (she recently filed for divorce from her husband of five years, Morgan Evans), she is also going through an exciting time in her career. She recently made headlines wearing Shania Twain's Grammy dress at the ACM Honors, where she paid tribute to Twain by singing her biggest song, "Man, I Feel Like A Woman."
Also, this month (9/23), she will be releasing a new album called 'Subject To Change' featuring her current hit single, "Heartfirst."
As we celebrate all things, Kelsea today, we look at 12 of her biggest songs that made her the budding country superstar she is today.
12. "Yeah Boy" (2016)
Black RiverDescribed as an ode to the 1990s, in the song's video, Kelsea is shown performing the song in a colorful bodysuit in front of a neon backdrop and a brick wall spray-painted with graffiti, with female backup dancers.
11. "Legends" (2017)
Black RiverThis song is a bit legendary as it topped the Hot Country Songs chart on Billboard. Ballerini performed the song at the 2017 CMA Awards with country legend Reba McEntire.
10. "I Hate Love Songs" (2018)
Black RiverThe song was originally not going to be recorded for her second album. Still, after receiving a standing ovation for her performance of it at the Grand Ole Opry in August 2017, Ballerini decided to include it on the record. She said at the time, "I called my label, I was like, 'I think we need to cut this song.'"
9. "Miss Me More" (2018)
Black RiverA critically acclaimed song for Kelsea, she performed it many times on TV, including at the 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards. Thirteen days later, she performed it on Season 15 of 'The Voice,' and then in June of 2019; she performed the song at the 2019 CMT Music Awards.
8. "Homecoming Queen?" (2019)
Black RiverThe lead single from her third studio album 'Kelsea,' which was released in March of 2020. In an interview with The Tennessean, Ballerini revealed that "Homecoming Queen?" heralded "a new, more emotionally vulnerable phase of her career."
7. "Dibs" (2015)
Black RiverThe name of her dog, which she got as a puppy when this song first came out. The song's video consists of footage Kelsea took herself while on tour in York, Pennsylvania, Greenville, South Carolina, and St. Leonard, Maryland, performing in front of live crowds, celebrating her 22nd birthday, and spending time with her dog.
6. "Love Me Like You Mean It" (2014)
Black RiverHer debut single and the song that brought her to the country music dance. "Love Me Like You Mean It" peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making Ballerini the first solo female to top that chart with her debut single since Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel" in 2006.
5. "The Other Girl" (with Halsey) (2020)
Black RiverA solid collaboration. Ballerini and Halsey performed the song live on 'CMT Crossroads' on March 25, 2020. The song won a CMT Music Award for Performance of the Year, marking both artists' first CMT award.
4. "Peter Pan" (2016)
Black RiverAnother chart-topper for Kelsea, the song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold 672,000 copies in the US as of March 2017. Ballerini first performed the song live with Nick Jonas at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
3. "Heartfirst" (2022)
Black RiverHer new single and already a hit with fans. Kelsea co-wrote the song with Alysa Vanderheym and Little Big Town member Karen Fairchild. She recently said it was the first song that she ever wrote where she did not come up with the title first; instead, the opening line "Met him at a party/ Accidentally brushed his body/ On the way to get a drink at the bar" was the first lyric she wrote for the song.
2. "Hole in the Bottle" (2020)
Black RiverA catchy and fun drinking song. A remix of the song featuring Shania Twain was released on November 13, 2020. An alternate song recording is also included on Ballerini's fourth studio album, 'Ballerini.'
1. "Half of My Hometown" (featuring Kenny Chesney) (2021)
Black RiverA classic sounding and much-loved country song with fellow native East Tennessean Kenny Chesney. The song won both Musical Event of the Year and Video of the Year at the 55th Annual Country Music Association Awards and is nominated for Single of the Year at the 56th CMA Awards.
