Kelsea Ballerini Reveals How Taylor Swift’s Support ‘Changed My Life’

Kelsea Ballerini said she has Taylor Swift to thank for her rise to fame as a country star. “The Voice” coach shared the small way Swift made a huge impact on her career with her kind words of support.

Kelsea Ballerini Says Her Journey Started With Taylor Swift

While attending the Variety Power of Women event in Nashville on May 1, Ballerini told Us Weekly that one of Swift’s social media posts was a game-changer for her.

“I think a big reason why things have worked progressively like they have is because of the women that have, not only given me advice in passing, but the women that have taken the time to stop and turn around and reach out their hand and either share their stage with me, and other newer artists,” Ballerini explained.

She continued, “It’s been a part of my journey, and it started with Taylor.”

“The Voice” coach shared, “When she tweeted about ‘Love Me Like You Mean It,’ before it went Top 40 at radio, it changed my life.”

Swift shared a post about the song in March 2015 on X after the release of Ballerini’s EP. “Driving around with the @KelseaBallerini EP on repeat.. SO lovely:) #yeahboy #lovemelikeyoumeanit,” Swift wrote at the time.

Ballerini replied, “@taylorswift13 You are one of the main reasons I started writing songs and being fearless (ay?) enough to do this. That just made my year.”

They performed the song together at the Nashville stop of Swift’s “1989 World Tour” that year.

Kelly Clarkson Made a Huge Impact on a Young Kelsea Ballerini

Swift isn’t the only famous singer who inspired Ballerini. Kelly Clarkson played a huge part in the country singer considering a music career.

In a January 2025 video titled “Behind the Mic,” Ballerini shared the story. “I was seeing [Clarkson] in Knoxville at the arena, and it was her Behind These Hazel Eyes tour. And so she had these two video screens above her stage of her eyes the whole show,” she explained.

The singer continued, “So depending on the song, they would close, or they’d cry, or wink, or whatever. I was just at the age where I knew I loved music, but I was like, ‘Do I want to like do this? I don’t know how to, but I think I really love this.'”

Clarkson, she said, gave her the sign she needed. “I was having this moment as a little kiddo, and I looked up to these screen eyes of Kelly Clarkson, and they winked. And in my soul, I really believed that Kelly Clarkson told me I was supposed to move to Nashville,” the singer shared.