All Things Music

Country artists Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans announced they were divorcing after nearly five years of marriage Monday (Aug. 29).

Ballerini shared a statement to her Instagram making her fans aware of the news. In her statement, Ballerini described the decision to split from Evans as “deeply difficult.”

“I’ve always tried my best to share my life with you in a real and vulnerable way, while also protecting layers of my personal life as they unfold,” Ballerini told fans. “This is now public record so I wanted you to hear from me directly that I am going through a divorce.”

While Ballerini declined to share a reason for her and Evans’ split, she said she felt “extremely grateful” for her marriage and “hopeful for the next seasons.”

Evans also shared a statement, saying he was “very sad to confirm that he and [Ballerini were] parting ways.”

Ballerini and Evans wed on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2017. The pair met at a 2016 awards show in Australia, according to The Tennessean.

Ballerini and Evans celebrated four years of marriage in December 2021. Evans posted a tribute to his wife on Instagram at the time, writing, “Happy Anniversary baaaaaabe!!! 4 years on this crazy, beautiful, winding road together … and I wouldn’t wanna be riding it with anyone else! I love you!”

The news comes as a surprise to fans of both artists as Evans had shared with Rolling Stone Australia he and Ballerini found out they “actually really like each other” while forced to quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“Some of our friends were not so lucky in that respect this year,” he said, seeming to reference fellow country artist Kacey Musgraves‘ divorce from Ruston Kelly as well as Carly Pearce‘s divorce from Michael Ray at the time.

Prior to announcing their divorce, the pair bought their first home together and shared that they looked forward to starting a family someday.

Evans also supported Ballerini after she tested positive for COVID-19 back in April and was forced to co-host the 2022 CMT Awards from their Tennessee home.

Ballerini cited “irreconcilable differences” as the grounds for her and Evans’ divorce, according to court documents, WKRN reported.

While I’m very sad to learn of Ballerini and Evans’ split, I wish them both well in the future.

If you’re a fan of Ballerini and Evans as well, tell me your reaction to their divorce in the comments.