Kelsea Ballerini is forever indebted to Hillary Scott. Ballerini recalls early in her career when Scott helped her in multiple ways, including when Ballerini was struggling financially.

“[Scott] really became a mentor for me early on,” Ballerini recalls to People. “I couldn’t afford a dress to an award show in Nashville. She let me come over and raid her closet, and she gave me a hand-me-down dress that she had worn. I felt so pretty because she took the time to dress me for this event, because she wanted me to feel seen, and she wanted me to feel good going into these moments. To have those people in your life that are your peers and the people that pave the way for you to be able to have those kind of touch points with — it’s been one of the greatest gifts of my career.”

The Lady A singer isn’t the only woman who has lent a helping hand to Ballerini. The “Cowboys Cry Too” singer shares the way other female artists who have gone before her gave her a big boost when she needed it most.

“I’ll never forget when Shania [Twain] invited me to sing with her at Stagecoach,” Ballerini says. “Taylor [Swift] tweeting about my first EP before ‘Love Me Like You Mean It’ hit Top 40 changed my career. Trisha Yearwood has been someone for me that, even in quiet moments, in moments where it wasn’t a big flashy thing, checked in on me.”

Ballerini still is in awe of the way some of her country music heroes have been influential in her career. It’s something she vows to never, ever take for granted.

“I never want to act like I’m too cool to be in a room with someone that I’m actually freaking out about, even after I get to know people. Shania being one, Kenny [Chesney] being one,” the 31-year-old shares. “There’s something about never losing touch with, ‘I grew up on your music. You made me want to do this.’ And then being able to switch gears also and do a song with someone like that and be able to have a texting relationship with someone like that and be able to go to advice and have wine with.”

Ballerini is doing just fine on her own now. She is selling out arenas on her Live on Tour 2025, and is also serving as a coach on this season of The Voice, after championing herself for the role. She is also celebrating four ACM Awards nominations, including her first for Entertainer of the Year.

“I am absolutely speechless,” Ballerini writes on social media. “Being nominated for ENTERTAINER OF THE FREAKING YEAR has been one of my biggest dreams and goals from the very start of this journey. I feel so incredibly grateful, and I feel seen by the genre and community I love so dearly. This continues to feel like my ten year town year and I can’t stop crying happy tears. Wow wow wow.”

The 2025 ACM Awards will air live on May 8. The show, hosted by Reba McEntire, will stream live on Amazon Prime from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Tickets for the general public are available now, via SeatGeek. More information is available at ACMCountry.com.

Find all of Ballerini’s music and tour dates at KelseaBallerini.com.