Kelsea Ballerini Responds to Bullied Fan With Sweet Message of Support

Kelsea Ballerini made a bold move with her current single, ‘homecoming queen?,’ dropping the tempo and diving deep into the anxiety and angst of growing up. The track is already in country radio’s Top 20, but even if it fell off the charts tomorrow she would likely count it as a success — and that’s because of one particular fan.

Earlier this week, Ballerini posted a message to Instagram in response to a letter she received from a 12-year-old girl named Ellie. Ellie just started middle school and has been having a tough time, but reached out to let Ballerini know how much of a difference her music has made.

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Hey Ellie from Colorado. I couldn’t find your address to write you back, so I thought I’d respond on here. Middle school was really hard for me too. It’s a time when everyone is starting to discover who they are, it’s awkward and emotional, and unfortunately the way some people feel like they have it together is by tearing other people apart. Try your best to breathe through it and let it roll off of you, and please please remember that it’s not your weight to carry. It will make you stronger and full of grace. I also promise that middle school will be over before you know it. Hang in there, my little homecoming queen. Sending you so much love and light. PS- go try out!!! You have my vote. 💗👑

A post shared by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on Jan 6, 2020 at 5:51pm PST

“The song I want to recognize most is ‘homecoming queen?’,” Ellie wrote. “This song reads my mind! I’ve been feeling really sad because people have said some nasty things that I try not to acknowledge. Sometimes it feels like the world will end if I start showing what’s under my skin. However your songs have taught me otherwise!”

The deeply-emotional ballad is all about taking off the mask of perfection we all think we’re supposed to wear, and accepting yourself for who you are. Nobody’s perfect, after all, and “even the homecoming queen cries.” Ellie’s letter goes on to say she’s thinking about auditioning for America’s Got Talent, and would love to sing ‘homecoming queen?’ And that’s another thing Ballerini can get behind. She offered up some compassionate words of wisdom in response.

“Middle school was really hard for me, too,” the country star wrote. “It’s a time when everyone is starting to discover who they are, it’s awkward and emotional, and unfortunately the way some people feel like they have it together is by tearing other people apart. Try your best to breathe through it and let it roll off of you, and please please remember that it’s not your weight to carry. It will make you stronger and full of grace. I also promise that middle school will be over before you know it. Hang in there, my little homecoming queen. Sending you so much love and light. PS- go try out!!! You have my vote.”

Ballerini’s ‘homecoming queen?’ came out in September, marking the first taste of a new recording project which has yet to be announced. The hit maker helped ring in 2020 on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, and currently has a few festival dates on her tour schedule.