Overview
- Ballerini has relocated from Nashville to New York City and says the move is inspiring her next musical direction after the Mount Pleasant EP released in November 2025.
- She describes the shift as a milestone in independence, noting this is the first time she has lived alone since adolescence and that city life has sparked new creative energy.
- Ballerini returned to Nashville to serve as a judge for SoFi’s Amplify Your Ambitions live finale during CMA Fest, a contest she helped create with the Country Music Association to fund emerging acts.
- Karen Hardy won the contest’s $200,000 grand prize while runners-up Shantania and The Kentucky Gentleman each received $50,000, outcomes Ballerini praised as life-changing support for new artists.
- Looking ahead, Ballerini says she is planning collaborations across multiple genres and intends to reserve personal vulnerability for her music while keeping her offstage life more private.