Carly Pearce has heaped praise on Kelsea Ballerini, describing the singer as her “best friend” in the music business.
Carly Pearce finds Kelsea Ballerini’s success to be “surreal”.
The 34-year-old singer feels “really proud” of her “best friend”, having watched Kelsea go from being a virtual unknown within the business to becoming one of country music’s biggest stars.
Carly told PEOPLE: “Kelsea and I have been friends for over ten years. I watched her when she had 200 or 300 people in a little club, and now she’s selling out big arenas, so it was surreal.”
Carly feels Kelsea, 31, deserves every bit of success that she’s achieved.
Carly – who has won a host of awards during her own career, including a Grammy – said: “Nobody deserves it more. She’s my best friend in this industry, so I’m really proud of her.”
The ‘Next Girl’ hitmaker has also learned some important lessons from her showbiz pal.
Carly said: “I feel like she has a really amazing ability to perform like the superstar she is in front of thousands of people, but she still remains so vulnerable and honest, and you feel very connected to her, even if you’re sitting all the way in the back.”
Meanwhile, Chase Stokes recently admitted that he loves seeing Kelsea achieve her dreams.
The 32-year-old actor heaped praise on the country music star for the way in which she balances her career with her personal life.
Chase – who has been dating Kelsea since 2023 – told ‘Extra’: “Her work ethic is unmatched, and to do something like ‘The Voice’ – which is a huge lift – and then to just start doing a 36-stop arena tour on top of that and it’s, like, selling so fast.
“I was looking at everything from Chicago last night, it’s insane. I don’t know how she does it and somehow she does and she does it with grace and still finds time for real life in between. I think it’s just a beautiful thing to see your partner living out her 13-year-old dreams.”
Carly Pearce hails ‘best friend’ Kelsea Ballerini
