Carly Pearce is one of the most celebrated voices in country music today. The Kentucky native began her journey in 2017 with the song "Every Little Thing," which helped her secure a record deal. It instantly became a hit, reaching No. 1. Her debut album of the same name peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
In 2021 she released her 29 EP, later releasing a full studio album, 29: Written in Stone, which includes hits "Diamondback," Next Girl," "Dear Miss Loretta'' featuring Patty Loveless and "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" featuring Ashley McBryde.
In 2018 the singer revealed she was dating Michael Ray after interacting with him on Instagram. The couple became engaged on Dec. 19, 2018 and wed on Oct. 6, 2019. They split up the following year with Pearce filing for divorce in June 2020. But that didn't stop the country singer from finding love again. Pearce recently confirmed her relationship with Riley King on social media.
Who is Riley King?
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Not much is known about King since he seems to be pretty private, but what we do know is he is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Kansas City Royals from 2013 to 2016. The Missoula native graduated from the University of Montana Western with a business administration degree and went on to launch a career in real estate as co-founder of Cowan King Group-Parks Realty.
At the beginning of the relationship, Pearce was pretty private, keeping it away from the media.
"We met through mutual friends. I guess we've been together over a year or so, somewhere before that," Pearce told Audacy's Rob + Holly. "And yeah, I just kind of kept him a slight bit quiet until I kissed him on national television when I won Female Vocalist of the Year [at the 2021 CMA's]. I guess I thought that was smart to do."
King repeatedly shows up with Pearce at industry awards shows and other events, which proves that he's willing to support her soaring career from the sidelines despite his own professional commitments.
"This is all he wants for me to do," Pearce told E! News ahead of the 2023 CMT Music Awards. "I think it's really hard to find a supportive significant other when you live this crazy life, and he does it like a champ."
"I Believe in Love"
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King has become a regular on Pearce's social media as she gives fans a peek into their life. The couple has also been more public with their relationship, showing up together at several award shows and public events. King paid tribute to his girlfriend after the 2021 CMA Awards, at which she won Female Vocalist of the year.
Sharing several photos, including one of them kissing, he wrote, "Your dedication and work ethic is unmatched. Grateful and fortunate to have a front row seat watching all of your dreams coming true! Incredible night at the @cma awards celebrating this babe, THE FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR!"
Despite her divorce and heartbreak, the singer has repeatedly stated that she still believes in love despite the hurt. "I believe in love. I want to find love. I got married because I was in love," the country music singer told The Sun. "I mean that's the whole thing. I absolutely will never let a failed relationship keep me from finding that love that I deserve."
Keeping the love alive, the duo recently celebrated their two-year anniversary on April 25. King posted a photo of the duo, captioning it, "One year of loving you 😘 Happy anniversary Car and thanks for the best year of my life!"
