Will Carly Pearce’s “Hot” New Boyfriend Riley King Be Her Date To The 2021 CMA Awards?

Carly Pearce may’ve had a chart-topping hit called “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” however, it appears the country superstar no longer needs to hope for happiness as it seems she has found a “hot” new boyfriend.

Back in May, the Kentucky native and 7x CMA Award nominee addressed the rumors regarding her love life with PEOPLE as rumors began swirling online after Pearce shared a photo of herself cosied up on the arm of Nashville Realtor and former MLB player Riley King in her Instagram stories. Although she didn’t reveal much about it, she did admit, “all I will say is I’m happy. I’ll tell you, I’m very happy about that.”

On Tuesday (Nov. 9) in an interview with Audacy’s Gunner & Cheyenne, Pearce opened up about King, saying he’s one part of her life that she just wants to “keep private right now.”

Pearce wants to keep her relationship with King private for the time being, as she admits “It’s a big commitment to go public with somebody,” and she says she already “learned the hard way that [going public too fast] can sometimes kick you in the butt.” 

“He’s not new, I’m just not putting him out into the world like I have in the past,” Pearce told the Audacy hosts. “He’s hot. He’s so hot… And I’m certainly not trying to hide him, but certainly don’t want to exploit my whole thing.”

The “I Never Wanted To Be That Girl” singer did however tease that he may just be her date to the 55th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 10. 

“But, you know if he wanted to be my date to the CMAs, I might let him,” Pearce teased.

Pearce hasn’t shared much of her and King’s relationship, over the course of the last few months, the couple has been sharing photos together more frequently of outings they enjoyed together, including their recent appearance together at game 6 of the World Series.

While the hitmaker has gone through a very public divorce from fellow country singer Michael Ray, she admitted that she believes in love and shared that she will never allow a failed relationship keep her from finding the love she wants and deserves.

“I believe in love. I want to find love. I got married because I was in love,” Pearce previously told PEOPLE. “I mean, that’s the whole thing. I absolutely will never let a failed relationship keep me from finding that love that I deserve.”

It seems Pearce has finally found the love she deserves and that “special someone” in her life with King.

Additionally, Pearce is set to perform her latest single, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” a duet alongside her friend, Ashley McBryde. 

The singer is also up for two nominations at the coveted awards show, including Female Vocalist of The Year and Album Of The Year for 29. Pearce also shared that being nominated for Female Vocalist of The Year is a longtime dream of hers.

“I can tell you that I’ve dreamt of being one of the five girls my entire life that would be nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, so that is like a childhood dream,” Pearce admitted to the outlet. “But then to think about everything that I have been through in the last year and a half and how this music of 29 came to be, and it’s being recognized as the only female contending for Album if the Year, that means a lot too.”

Pearce recently shared her latest album, 29: Written In Stone, and is currently in the midst of her first-ever headlining tour, The 29 Tour.

Tune into the 2021 CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 10 at 8/7c on ABC.

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Music Mayhem

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