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Kelsea Ballerini wore a sequin, nude gown with a black bra top to the 2025 ACM Awards on May 8
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Ballerini was joined at the ceremony by boyfriend Chase Stokes, who complemented her in an all-black look
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The “Love Me Like You Mean It” singer is up for two awards at the event: female artist of the year and the coveted entertainer of the year
Kelsea Ballerini and her man just hit the 2025 American Country Music Awards red carpet in style!
The “Love Me Like You Mean It” singer, 31, arrived on the red carpet for the event — hosted at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas this year — on Thursday, May 8 in a look fit for a winner, and, naturally, her actor beau Chase Stokes supported her in style.
Ballerini sparkled in a sequined, nude gown complete with a fun and sultry detail — a black triangle bra top. The glittering number featured double spaghetti straps and striped vertical seam details that melted into a tulle skirt with a stunning handkerchief hemline. The sheer, fairylike skirt trailed dreamily behind her as she walked the carpet.
The country star paired the nude and black look with the perfect date-night glam: a warm, smoky eye and nude glossy lip. For hair, she pulled her signature blonde tresses back into a low ponytail — with a few face-framing front strands pulled out for an effortlessly tousled effect.
Omar Vega/WireImage
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes at the 2025 ACM Awards
After the star posed for solo shots, Stokes joined her on the red carpet in a similarly stylish ensemble — and she sweetly beckoned him closer, photos show.
The Netflix star, 32, complemented Ballerini’s bra top in a head-to-toe black look, reminiscent of a retro Johnny Cash suit. He teamed a simple black suit jacket and trousers with a low-cut black T-shirt, and wore his wavy hair in a slicked back style.
The stars — who hit it off in 2023 after Ballerini slid in the actors’ DMs — were very affectionate on the ACM Awards red carpet. At various points, the couple could be seen smiling and laughing together, and Stokes’ arm was wrapped was around the “Cowboys Cry Too” singer’s waist.
Ballerini is up for two of the biggest awards at the May 8 ceremony: female artist of the year and the coveted entertainer of the year. In the latter category, she faces off against Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen.
Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty
Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini at the 2025 ACM Awards
Ahead of the awards show, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, Ballerini teased her red carpet look and revealed that she wanted an outfit that could stand the test of time.
“This is, as an artist, my biggest ACMs that I’ve gotten to attend, and so I wanted to find a carpet outfit that felt kinda timeless and classic, so that I could always look back at these photos and this night and feel good about it,” she told CountryNow.
The artist also gushed about the awards show celebrating its 60th anniversary — “it’s iconic,” she told the interviewer, suggesting that the milestone birthday for the event made her want to have a special look.
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The singer made an appearance at the 2024 ACM Awards last year. Before her performance, Ballerini walked the red carpet solo and looked elegant in a slinky gold halter turtleneck gown styled by Rob Zangardi and Mariel Heann.
Jason Kempin/Getty
Kelsea Ballerini attends the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards at Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star on May 16, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
The gown hugged Ballerini’s curves perfectly, and flared out into a floor-grazing train that trailed behind her as she walked the carpet. The star kept the red of her look for the evening simple, wearing her hair in simple bun with a hanging side piece, opting for a fresh face with rosy cheeks and blush, and accessorizing with glittering studs for her piercings.
Check out all of PEOPLE’s full ACM Awards coverage here.
Ballerini’s last major red carpet came courtesy of the 2025 Grammy Awards, which took place on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Kelsea Ballerini attends the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Related: Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert Added to the 2025 ACM Awards Performance Lineup
The singer opted for a much edgier look that evening, wearing a plunging black Tamara Ralph mini dress with a floor grazing white satin shawl and black pumps to complete the outfit. She further accessorized the outfit with diamond rings and ornate studs.
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Though Ballerini posed for most of her red carpet photos by herself, she later took pictures with Stokes and caught up with Noah Kahan and Brenna Nolan inside the venue.
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Chase Stokes, Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan, and Brenna Nolan attend the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
The singer swapped her mini dress for a less structured, strapless black dress with a sheer overlay on her shoulder, while Stokes matched in her a black button down shirt and matching pants worn with an open cream-colored blazer.
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, are streaming live on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
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