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Carly Pearce and Her Boyfriend Riley King | Source: Getty Images
Carly Pearce and Her Boyfriend Riley King | Source: Getty Images

Carly Pearce's Boyfriend: Inside the Singer's Love Story with Riley King

Naomi Wanjala
May 16, 2023
11:15 P.M.

Carly Pearce is a prominent country singer and songwriter known for her heartfelt lyrics and soulful performances. But beyond the spotlight and standing ovations lies a woman whose own love life has been a muse for her artistry. Now fans want to know more about Carly Pearce's boyfriend, Riley King.

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Country music star Pearce was born in April 1990 in Kentucky and began her music career at a young age. She gained recognition with her breakout single "Every Little Thing" in 2017, which topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and received Platinum certification.

Pearce's talent and hard work have earned her notable accolades. Her 2020 song, "I Hope You're Happy Now," featuring Lee Brice, received multiple awards, including the CMA Awards for Musical Event of the Year and Single of the Year.

Carly Pearce at Moody Center on May 13, 2023, in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images

Carly Pearce at Moody Center on May 13, 2023, in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images

In 2023, Pearce took home a Grammy Award for her duet "Never Wanted to be that Girl" with Ashley McBryde. While Pearce's professional achievements have made her a respected figure in country music, her personal life has also captured public interest.

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The country singer has been open about her relationship history, having previously married fellow country artist Michael Ray. Their marriage, unfortunately, ended in divorce in 2020, but Pearce's experiences have inspired her music, adding depth and authenticity to her heartfelt songs.

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Carly Pearce Was Married to Fellow Country Singer Michael Ray, but They Quickly Realized They Were Not Meant to Be

The Kentucky native and fellow country singer Ray made headlines after filing for divorce eight months after exchanging vows in a lavish ceremony. The two country singers went public about their relationship in July 2018 on Instagram after they shared a cozy photo of them.

The Kentucky native told Taste of Country that she made the first move. She revealed to the publication she commented on Ray's Instagram story to capture his attention.

Carly Pearce and Michael Ray at Omni Hotel on February 24, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Carly Pearce and Michael Ray at Omni Hotel on February 24, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

The two celebrated their engagement the same year in December when Ray surprised Pearce with a proposal while on vacation in Mexico. Pearce and Ray tied the knot in October 2019 in an intimate ceremony surrounded by about 100 of their family and friends.

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The wedding ceremony occurred at Drakewood farm in Nashville, and it was the dream vibe the bride wanted even though the weather did not let them have an outdoor wedding as they had hoped.

Michael Ray and Carly Pearce At Sandals South Coast on December 16, 2019, in Whitehouse, Jamaica. | Source: Getty Images

Michael Ray and Carly Pearce At Sandals South Coast on December 16, 2019, in Whitehouse, Jamaica. | Source: Getty Images

The country singers officially became husband and wife after exchanging their written vows. But their short-lived marriage came crumbling when Pearce filed for divorce from Ray after eight months of being together.

When Pearce won the 2023 CMT Music Awards, she gushed about how supportive her boyfriend, Riley King, has been towards her career.

A source close to Pearce told People Magazine that the "Every Little Thing" singer's decision to end her marriage wasn't a quarantine realization. The source told the publication that it was a hard decision for Pearce, and it wasn't something she wanted to do.

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Carly Pearce and Michael Ray at the Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Carly Pearce and Michael Ray at the Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

The singer revealed to US Weekly that it was not easy to accept the divorce, admitting that it was awful and she felt like a failure. Speaking to the publication, she said:

"It was awful. I mean, I’m being completely honest with you that it was so embarrassing. It was so shameful. I felt like I had failed. I felt like … I would never find love again because I was divorced at so young, and [I] was just embarrassed."

In 2020, during an interview with People Magazine, Pearce opened up about how she and Ray realized they were not meant for each other. Even though Pearce and Ray called it quits after eight months, the singer does not believe the marriage was a mistake. She said: "I believe we don't go through things that we're not supposed to go through. My love was real. I will stand by that forever."

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Carly Pearce Found Love Again with Riley King after Her Divorce from Michael Ray

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Pearce did not give up on love as she started a new romantic relationship with King, a former MLB player turned realtor. The singer revealed during an interview that she and King met through mutual friends.

She noted they had been together for a while but kept their relationship under wraps until she kissed him on national television when she won the Female Vocalist of the Year during the 2021 CMAs.

Since then, the lovebirds have gone public about their relationship on social media. Pearce's boyfriend doesn't hesitate to profess his love to the Grammy Award winner.

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King has accompanied Pearce to several red-carpet events and frequently pays sweet tributes to her on his Instagram page. In April 2022, when the pair celebrated their first anniversary of being together, he took to his Instagram page and shared photos of them having fun moments.

Alongside the photos, he wrote a sweet message in the caption. It read: "One year of loving you. Happy anniversary, Car, and thanks for the best year of my life!"

King is a former basketball and baseball player. He played for Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball from 2013 until 2016. He is also an entrepreneur who co-founded Cowan King Group, a real estate company that focuses on helping families get affordable homes and build wealth.

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Riley King Is Carly Pearce's Biggest Supporter

King often showers praise on Pearce on social media, referring to her as a hardworking woman and noting that he is proud of her achievements. When she won the 2023 CMT Music Awards, she gushed about her boyfriend's support for her career.

In an interview with E News!, the singer said, "I think it's really hard to find a supportive significant other when you live this crazy life, and he does it like a champ."

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