Chase Stokes made a fashion statement at the 2026 Oscars following his split from Kelsea Ballerini.
Stokes, 33, kept it classy with a maroon jacket and matching pants while posing for photos at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on Sunday, March 15. The actor appeared in good spirits after recently making headlines for his breakup — and subsequent drama with Ballerini’s ex-husband, Morgan Evans.
Earlier this month, Stokes called Evans, 40, out after the singer made a rare comment about his divorce from Ballerini, 32.
“I definitely wasn’t [expecting our divorce], and it took me by surprise,” Evans said on “The BobbyCast” podcast earlier this month. “But yeah, that whole time is such a blur. It almost feels like somebody else, just from where I’m sitting now. I just look back and I’m like, ‘Oh, my God.’ … Yeah, it was just kind of a whirlwind, life-changing moment.”
Evans admitted he felt mischaracterized amid their divorce.
“In my case, it didn’t feel like it necessarily had a lot to do with me,” Evans added. “I think maybe I was presented, or made out to be, or became an archetype for any guy that had done any woman wrong during that period of time. Like, some of the stuff was just like … ‘What? What are you even talking about?’”
He concluded: “It doesn’t not hurt … especially if it was real vicious or something. And then I’d click on whoever said it and just have a look and just be like, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s OK. That looks like somebody going through a tough time.’”
Stokes, for his part, posted a since-deleted comment in response to Evans’ interview, which read, “This is about the most pathetic excuse of masculinity ive ever seen. Get a f***ing life.” Ballerini, meanwhile, stayed out of the drama aside from a post that read “And for the lady, perhaps a f***ing break?”
Ballerini announced in August 2022 that she and Evans had called it quits after nearly five years of marriage.
“Friends, 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,” she wrote via her Instagram Story at the time. “This is now public record so I wanted you to hear from me directly that I am going through a divorce.”
Ballerini concluded: “This deeply difficult decision is the result of a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end. It’s hard to find the words here … but I feel extremely grateful for the years of marriage to Morgan and hopeful for the next seasons. With very active schedules coming up, please be mindful that we are both fragile, actively healing, and showing up the best we can.”
After their split, Ballerini found love with Stokes, and the duo dated off and on since January 2023 before officially calling it quits last month.
“Kelsea and Chase have broken up again. It happened just the other day,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in February.
The insider noted that Stokes “still isn’t ready to give up” on their relationship while Ballerini is officially “done” but is “taking it better” than their previous breakups.
Evans, for his part, has since moved on with fellow country singer Laci Kaye Booth.
