Kelsea Ballerini Casts BF Chase Stokes in ‘First Rodeo’ Video

Kelsea Ballerini is officially all in on boyfriend Chase Stokes.

Not only is she writing about her experiences with him in her new music, she has also cast the actor in the music video for her new song, “First Rodeo.”

Intertwined with clips of Ballerini sprawled out on the beach and riding a carousel, we see the Outer Banks star holding the country singer in several scenes throughout the nearly four-minute video. We see the pair embracing on the beach, cuddled up in bed together and slow-dancing with one another in a hotel room.

“Take my heart, but take it slow / This ain’t my first rodeo,” Ballerini sings over a clip of Stokes kissing her temple as he cradles her face in his hand.

What Is Kelsea Ballerini’s Song “First Rodeo” About?

Playing off the phrase “this ain’t my first rodeo,” Ballerini sings about being ready to open her heart to love again. She cautions her new lover to take things slow, but she revels in the idea of riding off into the sunset again in the arms of her lover.

“There’s a reality that an inner monologue post-public breakup is, ‘I feel washed up on the heart front. I feel like I don’t know how to do this anymore,’” Ballerini says about the track. “But at the end of the day, choosing love is bigger, and the honesty of saying please take it slow and be patient with me can actually be a beautiful and connective moment.”

“‘First Rodeo’ encapsulates that conversation, and more so, that decision within self to be vulnerable and open and allowing the hope of it all to seep back in,” she adds.

“First Rodeo” will appear on Ballerini’s new album Patterns, coming Oct. 25.

Who Was Kelsea Ballerini Married To?

Prior to finding love with Stokes, the country hitmaker was married to a fellow musician, Morgan Evans. The couple tied the knot Dec. 2, 2017. After nearly five years, their divorce was finalized on Nov. 15, 2022. She went public with her relationship with Stokes the following year.