Even bringing home multiple awards and penning seven chart-topping hits doesn’t shield Kelsea Ballerini from insecurities. And the “Peter Pan” singer has never shied away from vulnerability, pouring out her entire heart and then some on the 2024 album Patterns. So when Ballerini, 31, learned that a young fan was experiencing bullying simply for enjoying her music, she had a lot to say.
Videos by American Songwriter
“That’s Not Okay:” Kelsea Ballerini Comforts Young Boy
After a decade rising the ranks in the country music industry, Kelsea Ballerini is headlining her first-ever arena tour in 2025. The “Dibs” songstress performed for a sold-out crowd Thursday (Feb. 20) at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Within that sold-out crowd, a little boy named Jacob held up a sign that read, “I get bullied at school because I’m a boy and I love you. Can we take a selfie?”
Spotting Jacob’s sign, Ballerini did him one better. Kneeling to meet him at eye level, the “Cowboys Cry Too” singer said, “I guarantee you, every single person in here has had someone say something to them that has hurt their feelings. And I promise you, also, the person that’s saying the mean thing, it’s coming from a place of insecurity. They don’t know what they don’t like about themselves, and so they’re projecting it onto you.”
“That’s a big word, I know—I’ve been in so much therapy,” Ballerini added, invoking laughter from the crowd.
She continued, “But it doesn’t make it fair, and it doesn’t make it right. And I’m really sorry that if anyone’s ever said anything mean to you, that’s not okay… But you’re okay. You’re more than okay. Are you having a good time? That’s all I care about.”
“These Are All Your Friends”
As the whole crowd began to chant Jacob’s name, he posed with Kelsea Ballerini for the requested selfie.
“Do you hear all your friends right now?” said The Voice coach. “These are all your friends. Don’t forget that. We got you.
“We have him, right?” she asked, turning to face the audience as their cheers swelled.
Hopefully, Jacob’s peers will learn the beauty of simply letting others like what they like. But in the meantime, that selfie with his favorite artist will last forever.
Featured image by Virisa Yong/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.