Kelsea Ballerini Defends Stella Lefty After Grand Ole Opry Backlash: ‘Celebrate Music Like the Opry Does’
Categoria: Musica
The country star commented on the Opry's Instagram post to clap back at those criticizing the rising singer/songwriter.
Por Billboard | 03/09/2026
Kelsea Ballerini is standing up for Stella Lefty and reminding critics what she believes the Grand Ole Opry is all about. After she made her Opry debut on Tuesday, the Nashville institution shared a special backstage moment with two young St. Jude patients, with Lefty singing her viral song “Boston” with the children as they enthusiastically joined in. Related Little Big Town Brings Fresh Energy to New Album, ‘It’s a Dying Art’: ‘There Is a New Excitement’ ENHYPEN, Ella Langley, Stella Lefty & More: Highlights of This Week’s Billboard Charts Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Countdown For September 5th, 2026 | Billboard News But as the video made its way around social media, some commenters gravitated toward the criticism surrounding Lefty’s ascent in the music industry instead of focusing on the performance. Commenters included accusations that she’s a “nepo baby” or an “industry plant,” as well as debate over her interpolating Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” on “Boston.” The song has become a major breakthrough for Lefty despite its backlash, so far peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 . Ballerini, who became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2019, stepped into the comments to defend Lefty and the moment she shared with the St. Jude patients. “Opry member chiming in!!” Ballerini began. The “Penthouse” singer acknowledged the Opry’s role in preserving the artists and traditions that have molded country music, but argued that the genre also has room for artists who connect with audiences in their own ways. “From different backgrounds and hometowns and generations, we can find ways to say and sing things that resonate with people that fill the seats…and that is always the goal right?” Ballerini wrote. She then turned her attention back to the video itself. “This backstage moment is beautiful,” Ballerini continued, criticizing commenters for, in her view, failing to extend the same welcoming spirit to artists embraced by the Opry. The country star added that the institution should be a place where different expressions of country music can coexist, whether traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. “It’s about celebration of all kinds of country music,” Ballerini wrote. “New, old, traditional, current, however you wanna say it. It’s all important.” For Ballerini, the criticism seemed to be very misplaced given the reason of Lefty’s visit. “DOUBLING DOWN that this is a video of her singing to St. Jude’s patients,” she added. “Y’all go get some sleep.” Lefty’s connection to cancer is also extremely personal, since her mother was diagnosed with the disease when the singer was only 13. A close friend from high school was also diagnosed, and Lefty has previously spoken about turning to songwr