Kelsea Ballerini is making it clear: country music should have open arms. In her new digital cover story for ELLE, the singer-songwriter reflected on the genre’s growing crossover appeal, welcoming artists like Beyoncé, Zayn Malik, and Lana Del Rey to explore their country roots.
“If we, as country artists, feel like we can collab with pop and R&B artists, why wouldn’t we extend that same welcome to them?” Ballerini asked, challenging those who push back on genre-blending.
Beyond musical boundaries, Ballerini also discussed using her platform to support LGBTQ+ rights and becoming more outspoken about her values. “I had to shift my mindset from wanting to speak to everyone to speaking to my people,” she shared.
On her recent tour, Ballerini said she made a conscious effort to make everyone feel seen — from “the girls and the gays” to the boyfriends and husbands who tagged along. “Cowboys Cry Too” added to her mission of emotional inclusion, proving that in Ballerini’s world, there’s a place for everyone in country music.
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