Kelsea Ballerini Brings “Baggage” To ACM Awards Stage
on May 08, 2025
Kelsea Ballerini took the stage at Thursday night’s ACM Awards show to perform her latest single, “Baggage.”
Dozens of country music singers, songwriters, and industry professionals have gathered at The Star in Frisco, Texas, to celebrate the 60th ACM Awards. The two-and-a-half-hour live show will feature an impressive lineup of performers and honor numerous category award winners.
Among the performers was Kelsea Ballerini, who is up for three awards, including the night’s biggest award: Entertainer of the Year.
Ahead of the show, Ballerini teased her performance in an Instagram story post that read, “a little female rage but mostly blissful acceptance of the journey that got us here coming to you this Thursday on the @acmawards…because who doesn’t have baggage? [sic]”
“Baggage” is the latest single from Kelsea Ballerini’s most recent album, Patterns.
“Baggage” is an honest song about bringing your past into a new relationship. In the lyrics, Ballerini tells a new love that he has to be willing to accept her baggage if he wants her.
“Clear out a drawer, clear out a shelf
I wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else
Everything that’s heavy, I check it at the door
Kind of feel like I don’t need it anymore
I got some bones of old skeletons
From the old house at the dead end
I got baggage, but I’m movin’ in”
The song is likely a nod to her 2-year relationship with actor Chase Stokes, whom she began dating following her divorce from fellow musician, Morgan Evans.
Kelsea took the stage during Thursday’s ACM Awards surrounded by gold suitcases and performed “Baggage.” Much of the crowd was on their feet singing along as she performed.
Watch Kelsea Ballerini’s “Baggage” performance at the ACM Awards in the video below.
