Silke Jasso
When it comes to roller coaster years, Kelsea Ballerini certainly had one. She added two more No. 1 singles — “Dibs” and “Peter Pan” — to her debut chart-topper, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” and she became the ACM’s New Female Vocalist. She met Australian boyfriend Morgan Evans in the spring and toured with Rascal Flatts for much of the year. Sadly, she also lost her grandmother and grandfather within days of each other in October, but the holidays brought some happiness. Kelsea headlined her first-ever tour, The First Time Tour, made her debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and was part of Kelly Clarkson’s “Miracle On Broadway” Christmas concert. Then, Morgan did his best to end the year on a super high note for his beloved. He popped the question and on Christmas, the couple shared the news that they would tie the knot.
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That’s a whirlwind year by anyone’s measure with lots of unforgettable moments. So, it’s no wonder that Kelsea was anxious to get her 2017 started, so she and her future hubs headed Down Under where they could get a jump on the new year and celebrate their engagement with Morgan’s friends and family.
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Kelsea shared a scrapbook of fun photos of their adventures on her Instagram page, including a planned surfing adventure that was waylaid by the presence of a bull shark in the water.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOqQ-BAgn1w/?taken-by=kelseaballerini
Now, keep in mind, Australia is 17 hours ahead of Nashville where Kelsea and Morgan share a home. So, on Dec. 30 while Nashville was still a day away from ringing in 2017 downtown with Keith Urban, the sweet, newly engaged couple was sharing a traditional midnight New Year’s smooch under the fireworks at Sydney Harbor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOrxcrKgBX_/?taken-by=kelseaballerini
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2017 is bound to be another great year for Kelsea. Including her impending nuptials, possibly in 2017, Kelsea is also nominated for Favorite Female Artist in the People’s Choice Awards, which take place Jan. 18 and Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, which air in February. On Feb. 23, she’ll hit the road with Thomas Rhett on his first headlining run, The 2017 Home Team Tour.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOrlrmFg1mr/?taken-by=kelseaballerini
One thing we don’t see on Kelsea’s calendar is a nap! She might want to schedule one with all of that activity.
