Kelsea Ballerini Smiles in Snap with Supportive Mom Carla Denham Celebrating Her SNL Appearance

Kelsea Ballerini performed her breakup song "Blindsided" on "Saturday Night Live" on March 4, 2023, cheered on by a new love interest and her mother, Carla Denham.

In an Instagram slideshow that began with Kelsea Ballerini holding up NFL star Travis Kelce's cue card to announce her set, the singer shared her frantic night at NBC's studio, the "SNL" after-party, and at a restaurant with Carla Denham.

The singer-songwriter hung out backstage with "Outer Banks" actor Chase Stokes, who she is currently dating, and Kelce. Stokes posted on Insta stories: "Well [expletive]. That was special," along with a snap of him outside the singer's dressing room.

Kelsea Ballerini Leaned on Her Mom Carla Following Her Divorce

Ballerini announced her split from Morgan Evans in August 2022, finalizing the divorce in November. Denham said on the "Got It From My Momma" podcast on March 1 that she "would just ball" as her daughter sang her songs from her EP "Rolling Up the Welcome Mat."

A tabloid source said that Stokes is "fun and carefree," which the 29-year-old needs right now.

The mom, based in Franklin, Tennessee, knew that the music would give others the courage to walk away from "something that is unhealthy." The brand strategist said that it would have been tough to watch even if Ballerini had cast someone else in the companion short film.

Kelsea Ballerini Now Focuses on Her Sold-out Shows & New Love Life

The country star wrote in January that she "couldn't have been more excited to get back on the road" as she sold out five of the nine dates. Stokes commented "[expletive] right," on her update of additional dates on the "Heartfirst" tour last week. He previously dated his co-star Madelyn Cline.

Ahead of her "SNL" gig, Ballerini went with Stokes to the New York Rangers VS Ottawa Senators game at Madison Square Garden in NYC on Thursday, March 2. The singer kissed the back of the actor's hand, and he gently pulled her closer for a peck on the lips.

Ballerini divulged on Alex Cooper's podcast, "Call Her Daddy," that she had contacted the actor via direct message at the end of 2022. A tabloid source said that Stokess is "fun and carefree," which the 29-year-old needs right now.

She wrote "Blindsided" in response to her ex-husband's disingenuous track "Over For You." The singer stated that the person one divorces is not the same person one married.