Kelsea Ballerini Talks the ACM Awards, Her Country Music Idols, and Staying True to Herself With Nina Garcia

Kelsea Ballerini has had a banner year. She wrapped up her arena-headlining tour, served as a judge on The Voice, and had an ELLE digital cover to boot. It’s the result of consistent hard work, she explains to ELLE editor-in-chief Nina Garcia. “It took a really beautiful, steady grind for 10 years to headline arenas, and we did it.”

The country singer is the latest guest on Defining, ELLE’s new video series where Garcia sits down with some of her famous friends to discuss career milestones, personal struggles, and what truly makes them tick.

Ballerini is fresh off the release of her album, Patterns. The project reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200. “Cowboys Cry Too,” featuring Noah Kahan, cracked the Billboard Hot 100 as well. Despite all of this, she walked home from the Academy of Country Music Awards empty-handed. “I’m happy to be in the conversation,” she tells Garcia. “I know that I have value here, and this is not where I find my success.”

Through it all, Ballerini has carried herself with an unmistakable grace. She’s become a fashion girl, wearing brands like Schiaparelli and attending the Met Gala and has a legion of loyal fans amping her up. She’s country music’s darling, and Garcia gets to the heart of it all.

For more on Defining check out our episode with Spanish-Mexican singer and actress Belinda.