Kelsea Ballerini has absorbed some really hard knocks lately. The "Cowboys Cry Too" singer endured the heartbreaking loss of her beloved dog, Dibs, who passed away earlier this year. And her relationship with former beau Chase Stokes seems to have ended permanently. So maybe she was primed for a change of environment.
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In fact, Ballerini, 32, moved to New York City recently. She is really delighted to be in America's bustling hub of food, fashion, and finance. Dwelling in Manhattan is actually the culmination of a longtime goal for her. Per People, she shared, "I think I was 14 and we took a choir trip here with 30 kids. I was like, 'I will do a chapter of life in New York.' I never knew what it would be, but I knew that I wanted to do it. And then honestly, I just felt like, 'Why not now?'"
NYC apparently agrees with Ballerini. She finds the atmosphere and vibe there very stimulating. "I started this with the idea of three months, and I've already extended my lease because it's so creative here. It's so alive here, and I'm really liking who I'm showing up as in New York. So I'll be here for a little bit longer."
What Has Ballerini Been Doing in New York City
Per the outlet, she hopes to check out a Broadway play "once a week." Plus she took in "a recent Hilary Duff performance as part of Audacy's Leading Ladies at the Hard Rock Hotel." The singer also is looking forward to strolling through the legendary MoMA. "I haven't done that yet," she shared with People.
Her New Digs Could Spark New Music
Ballerini's lively urban surroundings might even precipitate some new songs. "I'm connecting with myself differently. I think it brings a new level of consciousness in, which I'm excited to see how that translates into music."
However, one thing she is trying not to do anymore is communicate too freely about her personal life. In the past, that has backfired on the singer. In fact, it triggered too much unwelcome speculation, questions, and intrusions. "I'm trying to shift out of oversharing unless it's in music. Because to me the connection is through the art, and I need to keep it that way. So I'm really excited. Obviously, I have a lot of life to write about."
Another music-related pursuit that Kelsea Ballerini is working on is hosting and judging SoFi's Amplify Your Ambitions Contest. Rising artists can vie for a whopping $200,000 grand prize. There's also a pair of runner-up prizes of $50,000 each. The contest is open through Thursday, April 30.
Connecting With New People Energizes Her
Kelsea Ballerini evidently loves connecting with new people (who are not her existing friends or family) in a non-work-related way. She explained, "I moved here by myself and I'm in an apartment by myself, and I haven't done that in a long time. If I'm in Nashville, I'm with friends and family. And then if I'm working, I'm with people all the time. So it's really been a new self-discovery challenge for me, but I've gotten to make new friends and they're just so wonderful."
There Is Just One Snag
Seems like Ballerini can't get the hang of using her stove, however. She likens herself to Carrie Bradshaw, the breezy, stylish character played by Sarah Jessica Parker on Sex and the City. "So I'm feeling very Carrie Bradshaw where I'm going to start just storing things on the stove or in the oven because at this point, I've been here for over a month and I haven't used it, so I don't think I'm going to."
That's okay, Kelsea. New York City has loads of great places to dine out! No need to cook at home!
