Kelsea Ballerini Urges Fans to Move On From Morgan Evans Drama During Concert Performance
Kelsea Ballerini, the celebrated country music artist, is signaling a clear message to her fanbase: it’s time to move on from the past. Specifically, the past that involves her relationship with ex-husband Morgan Evans. During a recent concert in Hollywood, Florida, Ballerini took a moment to address fans who were directing negative comments towards Evans, emphasizing that she has healed and wants her audience to do the same.
The incident occurred last Friday during Ballerini’s performance at the Hard Rock Live. She was singing her emotionally charged song "Penthouse," a track widely interpreted as being about her marriage and subsequent divorce from Evans. The couple, who were married for five years, finalized their divorce in 2022.
As Ballerini passionately delivered the lyrics, a portion of the audience reportedly took the opportunity to shout obscenities aimed at Evans. The song contains poignant lines like, "It hurts putting s— in a box / And now we don’t talk / And it stings rolling up the welcome mat / Knowing you got half." It was after singing "you got half" that Ballerini paused her performance to address the disruptive behavior.
"Guys, we have to stop saying that," the five-time Grammy Award nominee stated, a slight smile playing on her lips as she gently shook her head. "Seriously, we’re three years past it, everything’s fine now. I sing the song for you now, it’s not about me anymore, please." She then rallied the crowd, asking, "All right, for everyone that’s moving forward with their life, will you sing this with me?" The audience responded with enthusiastic cheers, and Ballerini seamlessly resumed her performance.
This isn’t the first instance of fans expressing their animosity towards Evans during Ballerini’s performances of "Penthouse." Online discussions reveal that some concertgoers have made it a habit to shout "F— you, Morgan" during the song’s instrumental breaks. This behavior has clearly become a source of concern for Ballerini, who has repeatedly requested that fans refrain from such actions. As one fan commented online, "For everyone who doesn’t know — people say ‘F You Morgan’ during the pause. She has asked multiple times for people to stop. She is healed and wants to move on."
The situation has sparked worry among some fans who fear that Ballerini might choose to remove "Penthouse" from her setlist altogether to avoid further negativity. "Shes going to change the set and take this out guys and then Ill be soooo sad," one TikTok user lamented. Another added, "I see her in April, and I swear if I don’t get to scream this with her because people ruin it by saying ‘f u morgan’… I’m going to be UPSETTTT."
"Penthouse" holds a special significance for Ballerini’s fanbase. It was featured on her EP "Rolling Up the Welcome Mat," a surprise release that dropped on Valentine’s Day in 2023, and explored the raw emotions surrounding her divorce. The EP was a deeply personal and vulnerable offering, allowing fans to connect with Ballerini on a more intimate level.
Ballerini is currently on a nationwide tour supporting her latest album, "Patterns," released in 2024. Her ability to connect with her audience through her music is undeniable, and the ongoing situation with "Penthouse" highlights the complexities of navigating personal experiences in the public eye.
Importantly, Ballerini herself has actively moved forward in her personal life. She is currently in a relationship with "Outer Banks" star Chase Stokes, with whom she reportedly began dating in December 2022. The couple made their public debut on the CMT Awards red carpet in April 2023, solidifying their relationship in the eyes of the media and fans alike.
Further demonstrating her commitment to healing and moving forward, Ballerini has even updated the lyrics of "Penthouse" to reflect her current emotional state. The original version included lines such as, "I kissed someone new last night / But now I don’t know where you’re sleeping, baby / We got along real nice, until I wanted out, now I know you hate me." In May 2023, she revised these lyrics to, "I kissed someone new last night / And now I don’t care where you’re sleeping, baby."
Ballerini debuted the altered lyrics during a concert while touring with Kenny Chesney. A week later, she shared a TikTok video of herself performing "Penthouse" with the updated verses, captioning it, "’Penthouse (the healed version).’ I think I’m gonna keep the lyric swap, yeah?" This decision underscores her desire to not only heal personally but also to present a more positive and empowering narrative to her fans.
Ballerini’s request for her fans to move on from the Morgan Evans drama is a mature and compassionate gesture. It demonstrates her commitment to healing, personal growth, and creating a positive and supportive environment at her concerts. It also serves as a reminder that even though artists share their personal lives through their music, they are entitled to privacy and respect. Hopefully, her message will resonate with her fans and allow her to continue performing "Penthouse" without the negativity that has marred recent performances.
