Chase Stokes has revealed a new tattoo just weeks after his breakup with Kelsea Ballerini, marking a significant moment in the life of the 33-year-old actor. Stokes took to Instagram on March 12 to showcase the latest addition to his body art, a cryptic inscription that reads, “they will judge us by our fruit,” elegantly inked across his upper back.
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The tattoo artist, known as Winterstone, was credited in Stokes’ Instagram story, where the actor expressed gratitude, encouraging his followers in Los Angeles to reach out to the artist. Winterstone reciprocated by sharing a picture of the two together, captioning it, “Great to see you brother!” This new design follows a tumultuous few months for Stokes, who recently ended his relationship with Ballerini.
Stokes and Ballerini’s on-again, off-again romance reached the end of the road in early February 2026, amid widespread speculation about their relationship. Sources confirmed the split to PEOPLE, stating that they were “not dating right now” and highlighting their ongoing struggles to align their lives. According to insiders, despite their feelings for one another, the couple faced significant challenges in merging their lifestyles and living arrangements.
“They still love each other, which is why they’ve kept trying to make it work,” noted an insider. However, they acknowledged that the complexities of their dynamic led to difficulties. “Figuring out where to live and how to truly merge their lives has been hard lately. It’s been something they’ve gone back and forth on,” the source explained. As they navigated these challenges, it became increasingly clear that happiness was elusive, ultimately prompting the separation.
Stokes and Ballerini first sparked romance rumours in January 2023, and made their relationship official at the CMT Awards in April the same year. They shared many significant moments together over the following months, including Ballerini visiting Stokes on the set of his show, “Outer Banks,” where their romance appeared to rekindle.
However, the relationship faced strain again by late 2025, when Stokes began posting ambiguous messages across social media, coinciding with the release of Ballerini’s EP, “Mount Pleasant”. Following their split in September 2025, it was reported that both parties had made earnest efforts to maintain the relationship, but their individual needs and aspirations ultimately proved incompatible.
Further complicating matters, Ballerini had previously revealed during an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that she and Stokes had matching tattoos. The country singer noted the significance of this shared ink, which was designed to celebrate their connection as fellow Virgos. Ballerini jokingly remarked, “Well now I spilled it on here that we have matching tattoos, so we can’t break up,” acknowledging the whimsical nature of their decision to celebrate their zodiac signs through body art.
During this same podcast, Ballerini expressed her struggles with the traits commonly associated with Virgos, which include a tendency for order and control. She explained how both she and Stokes embraced these characteristics as part of their shared identity. “We’ve really allowed ourselves to love that part of ourselves and each other,” she stated, reflecting on the importance of effective communication, loyalty, and planning in their relationship.
As Stokes embraces a new chapter in his life, his latest tattoo serves as a reminder of his past relationship as well as a reflection of his personal growth. Fans and followers are keen to see how he navigates the aftermath of this significant split and what new experiences lie ahead for him.
With the unfolding of his story, fans continue to rally behind Stokes as he moves forward, eager to see how his new ink may serve as a symbol of resilience during this transitional period in his life.