Nearly Two Months After Their Split, Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Spotted Hand-in-Hand in Croatia — Are They Back On?
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have reignited speculation about their relationship after being spotted together in Croatia nearly two months after publicly announcing their split. The country music star and the Outer Banks actor, whose romance had captivated fans since early 2023, were seen walking hand-in-hand through the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik on Friday, November 7 — and the sighting has sent social media into a frenzy.
According to an eyewitness account shared with People, the pair were seen at Kiba Smash Burger, a casual restaurant in Dubrovnik, where they appeared comfortable and affectionate. “They looked really happy,” the source said. “It wasn’t over-the-top PDA, but it was clear they were there together.” The eyewitness described how Ballerini and Stokes sat closely, shared food, and then strolled out hand-in-hand, blending in with tourists exploring the coastal city.
The sighting comes just weeks after the couple announced their breakup in September following nearly three years of dating. At the time, representatives for both confirmed that the split was mutual and amicable. “They tried to make it work,” a source told People back then, “but the distance and their careers made it really hard.” The decision seemed final, with both parties focusing on their individual projects — Stokes filming the next season of Outer Banks, and Ballerini touring in support of her latest album.
Yet Friday’s unexpected reunion paints a different picture. Fans immediately began speculating online that the couple may have rekindled their romance, with hashtags like #KelseaAndChase trending on X (formerly Twitter). “They look so good together, I hope they’re working it out,” one fan wrote, while another commented, “Maybe some love stories just need time.”
Neither Kelsea nor Chase has publicly commented on the encounter. Representatives for both stars declined to respond to media inquiries, leaving their current relationship status unclear. However, multiple outlets, including People and Cosmopolitan, confirmed the sighting through independent sources — making it far more than just a rumor.
The timing of the reunion has added to the intrigue. Stokes has been filming on location in Dubrovnik, which is serving as one of the new international settings for the upcoming Outer Banks season. Ballerini, meanwhile, had just wrapped several tour dates in Europe, including performances in Paris and Berlin. Whether she made a detour to visit Stokes or coincidentally ended up in the same city remains unknown, but the odds of such timing feel striking.
This isn’t the first time the pair have made headlines for their love story. Ballerini, 31, and Stokes, 32, went public with their relationship in January 2023 after weeks of speculation. They were first spotted at a college football game in Los Angeles, cozying up in the stands. Shortly after, they confirmed their romance through sweet social media posts and public appearances. Their chemistry was undeniable — easygoing, joyful, and refreshingly down-to-earth for Hollywood standards.
Their red-carpet debut came at the 2023 CMT Music Awards, where they walked hand in hand and smiled for photographers, looking every bit the golden couple. Throughout 2023 and into 2024, they appeared inseparable, often sharing glimpses of domestic life on Instagram — beach walks, lazy mornings, and affectionate behind-the-scenes moments from their respective work projects. Fans admired how natural and genuine they seemed, a rarity in celebrity relationships.
That’s why their breakup in September 2025 came as such a shock. According to Teen Vogue, close friends said the split was driven primarily by distance and scheduling conflicts rather than any personal fallout. “They were both heartbroken but mature about it,” one insider said. “There wasn’t drama, just timing.”
Still, Ballerini’s social media posts in the weeks following the breakup hinted at introspection and perhaps regret. She shared poetic captions about “learning to let go” and “missing what feels like home,” leading fans to wonder whether she and Stokes had truly closed the chapter.
Friday’s sighting now has fans revisiting those posts with new eyes. Some speculate that the pair may have quietly stayed in contact after the breakup, perhaps paving the way for reconciliation. Others think it’s too soon to assume they’re back together. “Hand-holding doesn’t always mean they’re a couple again,” one fan wrote online. “Sometimes it’s just love without labels.”
For now, what’s clear is that both are keeping things private. Stokes has maintained a low profile on social media since September, limiting his posts to Outer Banks filming updates. Ballerini, on the other hand, continues to promote her new single, “I Sit in Parks,” a heartfelt track that explores themes of reflection, longing, and rediscovery — lyrics that fans believe were inspired by her breakup.
Professionally, both stars are in pivotal moments of their careers. Ballerini’s last album received critical acclaim for its vulnerability and songwriting depth, cementing her as one of country music’s most authentic voices. Stokes, meanwhile, has become a household name thanks to his breakout performance as John B. in Outer Banks, which remains one of Netflix’s most successful young-adult dramas.
Their connection seemed to grow naturally from a shared sense of ambition and creative drive. In interviews before their breakup, both had spoken openly about their admiration for each other’s work. “He’s my biggest cheerleader,” Ballerini said in an interview earlier this year. Stokes reciprocated the sentiment, telling E! News, “Kelsea’s passion for what she does is infectious. It makes you want to be better.”
If the Croatia sighting truly signals a rekindled romance, it would mark another chapter in one of entertainment’s most closely followed relationships. Friends close to the pair have told media outlets that while their breakup was genuine, “the love never really went away.” One source added, “They have a deep connection. They’re taking things slow, but it’s clear they still care deeply for each other.”
That cautious optimism may define whatever comes next. Hollywood reunions are hardly new, but few carry the same charm and relatability as Ballerini and Stokes’. Their story — two ambitious, creative individuals trying to balance love and life under public scrutiny — resonates with many fans navigating relationships in their own fast-paced worlds.
As for the Dubrovnik moment, eyewitnesses say it didn’t feel staged or performative. “They weren’t hiding,” one local told reporters. “They looked relaxed, just enjoying each other’s company like normal people.”
In a time when celebrity relationships often unravel in public, their quiet approach — both in love and in reconciliation — feels refreshing. Whether it leads to a full reunion or simply closure between two people who once shared something special, it’s clear that their story isn’t over just yet.
Until Kelsea Ballerini or Chase Stokes decide to confirm (or deny) where they stand, fans will continue to read between the lines — and the hand-holding photos from Croatia may be the latest clue that love sometimes finds its way back, even across oceans and broken timelines.
