Kelsea Ballerini is speaking out after she was struck in the face by a flying object during her concert at Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday (June 28).
The 29-year-old country superstar was in the midst of performing her current single, “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO),” when an audience member threw a beaded bracelet at her.
What Happened To Kelsea Ballerini At Her Idaho Concert?
In a video captured by a concertgoer, Ballerini is seen performing the SUBJECT TO CHANGE track when the bracelet launches from the crowd and pegs her in the face. The incident prompted the East Tennessee native to stop singing as her bandmates checked her face for injuries and the crowd finished out the song before Ballerini exited the stage.
After a few moments, she returned to the stage to continue on with her headlining set.
Later in the show, Kelsea Ballerini took a moment to address her fans and the situation.
“Can we talk about what just happened? All I care about is keeping everyone safe, so if you ever don’t feel safe, please let someone around you know,” Ballerini shared. “There’s security everywhere tonight. If anyone’s pushing too much or you just have that gut feeling or anything, just always flag it. Don’t throw things, you know! I just always want shows of mine — every show, for every artist — but I’m in control of this one. I just want it to be a safe place for everyone. … Can you help me do that tonight?”
Concerned Fans Show Their Support For Kelsea Ballerini
Fans showcased their concern and support for Ballerini on social media as the video, captured by a fan account dubbed Kelsea Central, began to circulate on social media.
“I hope she is ok! This kind of craziness has to stop,” wrote on Twitter user, while another demanded “these people need to be fined/arrested/something. this is not acceptable.”
Ballerini Speaks Out
Kelsea Ballerini updated fans on her condition in an Instagram post shared on Thursday morning.
“Hi. I’m fine. someone threw a bracelet, it hit me in the eye, and it more so just scared me than hurt me. We all have triggers and layers of fears way deeper than what is shown, and that’s why I walked offstage to calm down and make sure myself, band and crew, and the crowd all felt safe to continue,” she wrote. “That’s all i ever want, is for shows to feel like a safe place for us all. I love you and appreciate all of the concern, let’s make the last two shows of the heartfirst tour the best yet.”
This isn’t the first time a fan threw an object at an artist during a show. Recently, Bebe Rexha was struck in the face by a cell phone, P!nk paused her concert after a fan tossed their late mother’s ashes on stage, Harry Styles was hit in the head with a bottle and more.
Final Leg Of HEARTFIRST TOUR
2023 has been quite the successful year for Kelsea Ballerini, including the release of her fourth studio album, a sold-out headlining tour, and more.
The chart-topping hitmaker is currently in the midst of the final leg of her HEARTFIRST Tour, which kicked off on June 16 in Santa Barbara, California. The HEARTFIRST Tour continues through July 1, where the trek will wrap up at Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Ballerini’s tour comes in support of her fourth studio album, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, which arrived on September 23, 2022.
The project features 15 tracks, including her current single “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too),” fan-favorite tunes “HEARTFIRST,” “What I Have,” “Doin’ My Best,” “Love Is A Cowboy,” as well as her collaboration with Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce, “You’re Drunk, Go Home.”
Additionally, the multi-Platinum and three-time Grammy Award nominee recently released her post-divorce EP, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, which features 6 songs, including her single “Blindsided,” “Mountain With A View,” “Penthouse” and more.
She has teased a expanded version of the project, however, details of that have yet-to-be announced.
