Kelsea Ballerini Celebrates All Kinds of Families on ‘Sesame Street’

Watch her sing with Elmo and the gang!

Written by Chris Parton
Kelsea Ballerini Celebrates All Kinds of Families on ‘Sesame Street’
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo credit: Sesame Workshop/Zach Hyman

Kelsea Ballerini teamed up with Big Bird, Elmo and the rest for a new episode of Sesame Street, bringing a little country music to the long-running children’s show. And during her heartwarming appearance, she sent out a musical message to kids all over the country.

Delivering an acoustic pop foot-tapper with sunny vocals and a message of diversity, Ballerini celebrated the cornerstone of every family, no matter what that family looks like.

With Ballerini dressed in a colorful blouse and blue jeans, and with a black acoustic guitar on her knee, the segment started off with an excited giggle from Elmo, who welcomed the country star to the neighborhood. She fit right into the beloved program’s set, and then smiled as the happy little monster asked what she’d like to sing about.

“I want to sing a song all about families,” Ballerini responded. “I love all families. You want to know why? Because every family is different.”

Some families have a mom and dad, some just one or the other / Your family might be you and grandma or mom, you and your brother / But one thing every family has, whatever they may be / Is a thing we call love, that’s what makes a family / Yeah, love makes a family,” goes the smiling chorus.

Meanwhile, Elmo and the gang invited their families out to the stage, dancing along as Ballerini sang.

Kelsea Ballerini isn’t the first country star to appear on Sesame Street. In fact, recent appearances have been made by Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris and more. Plus, all-time greats like Garth Brooks and even Johnny Cash have stopped by in the past, joining a positivity-spreading show that’s been on the air more than 50 years now.

In Ballerini’s case, it’s just the latest in a string of interesting gigs. She expanded her TV presence in early June by co-hosting the 2021 CMT Music Awards with Kane Brown. And this summer, she’ll hit the road on tour with pop superstars The Jonas Brothers. Her just-released duet with pop group LANY’s Paul Klein, titled “I Quit Drinking,” is out now.