Kelsea Ballerini made her Saturday Night Live debut on March 4, performing two songs from her just-released Rolling Up The Welcome Mat EP. The 29-year-old performed “Blindsided” and “Penthouse,” both songs written about the end of her marriage to Morgan Evans.
Ballerini first performed “Blindsided,” in front of a white screen that showed off her moving shadows as she performed.
“It was such a big moment,” Ballerini said. “We wanted to add an element that made the song and the performance more. When we talked about what the song was about, all the pieces of doubt and realizing what was going on, the shadow seemed to be the right thing.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHcPOULdO-s
The songstress later returned to the SNL stage to sing an acoustic version of the vulnerable “Penthouse” track.
“The concept of a penthouse seems so glamorous, but it stopped feeling that way,” Ballerini said when the project was released. “I lost track of what was good in how I got there… I realized what you think isn’t always what there actually is.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2u7P5M9dbU
Ballerini also shared a few snapshots of her first time on Saturday Night Live on social media. She joined an all-star cast for the evening, which included recent Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce.
live from new york 🥹 pic.twitter.com/ZDA5Ljx4pO
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) March 5, 2023
Ballerini released Rolling Up The Welcome Mat on Valentine’s Day, along with videos for each song, documenting her side of the end of her marriage to Evans.
“Here’s my healing journey,” Ballerini wrote. “Here’s my heart. Here’s my truth. i’ve never been this open, I’ve never been this bold, and I’ve never been this proud of my art. So with love and respect, I’m rolling up the welcome mat. Six song story and short film out now. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
The Tennessee native just announced she is extending her headlining Heartfirst Tour into the summer. She will also spend much of this spring on the road with Kenny Chesney, serving as the opening act on his I Go Back Tour.
“Music has taken me so many incredible places,” Ballerini said when the tour was announced. “Around the world, singing with some of my heroes in pop, alternative and contemporary music, but singing with Kenny is going home. He was the only voice I heard on ‘Half Of My Hometown,’ and when he comes in, it’s just like hitting the Knoxville city limits. So to be able to go out to those cities like the place he and I grew up with an artist who’s accomplished what he has, it’s a lot like going home.”
The I Go Back Tour kicks off on March 25. All of Ballerini’s music and upcoming shows can be found at KelseaBallerini.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Oriel Company / Will Heath