Kelsea Ballerini is letting the world know her deepest thoughts about the end of her almost five-year marriage to Morgan Evans. The 29-year-old just released a surprise six-song EP and short film, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, beginning with “Mountain With A View,” and ending with “Leave Me Again.” In all of the half-dozen tracks, Ballerini boldly — and perhaps brazenly — shares her side of how her relationship with Evans dissolved.
“I was writing by myself for most of the project, and it was nice to trust myself again,” Ballerini says of the project. “The only way I’ve been able to handle my life since I was 12 was to write about it. Ironically, I started writing music because my parents got divorced; that was my therapy. Rolling Up The Welcome Mat was how I processed everything. It’s the way I got my feelings out of my body and heart and put them to music, which is the purest way I could’ve handled it.”
“Leave Me Again,” which says in part, “I hope I remember all the pieces / Of who I was that I lost on the way / I hope I learn to love myself like I loved you then / And I hope I never leave me again,” is a fitting end to a project that closes the chapter on her very public split.
“I wasn’t worried about anything other than presenting the songs as honestly as possible,” Ballerini says. “Most of them started with me and my guitar.”
The Tennessee native also spoke out about the EP and film on social media, saying it was as honest and forthright as she could possibly be.
“Here’s my healing journey,” Ballerini writes. “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.”
In August, Ballerini announced on her Instagram Story that she and Evans were in the process of divorcing. The couple married in December of 2017.
“Friends, I’ve always tried my best to share my life with you in a real and vulnerable way, while also protecting layers of my personal life as they unfold,” Ballerini wrote. “This is now public record so I wanted you to hear from me directly that I am going through a divorce. This deeply difficult decision is the result of a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end. It’s hard to find the words here…but I feel extremely grateful for the years of marriage to Morgan and hopeful for the next seasons. With very active schedules coming up, please be mindful that we are both fragile, actively healing, and showing up the best we can.”
Ballerini will perform in the UK in March, followed by continuing her headlining HEARTFIRST Tour in the United States. She will also join Kenny Chesney on his I Go Back Tour, which kicks off on March 25 in State College, PA. Find music and tour dates at KelseaBallerini.com.