Kelsea Ballerini Gives Update After Being Hit In The Face With Object Thrown By Fan At Idaho Concert

“It hit me in the eye, and it more so just scared me than hurt me,” Ballerini explained.

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

June 29, 2023

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11:34 am

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Kelsea Ballerini; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

Kelsea Ballerini, 29, 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 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. 

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.

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She Returned To 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?”

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. 

Fans Rallied Around Her

“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 updated fans on her condition in an Instagram post shared on Thursday morning.

Kelsea Ballerini; Instagram Stories
Kelsea Ballerini; Instagram Stories

“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. 

A Big Year

2023 has been quite a successful year for Kelsea Ballerini.

Kelsea Ballerini; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Kelsea Ballerini; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

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. 

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.”

YouTube video

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 an expanded version of the project, however, details of that have yet to be announced.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.