Kelsea Ballerini Helps Crown Winner At SoFi’s ‘Amplify Your Ambitions’ Finale
Ballerini also performed during the star-studded event.
Brandon Campbell, Derek Campbell, Vivian Tu, Shane McAnally, Kelsea Ballerini, Karen Hardy, Shantaia; Photo by Ryan Northrop / BFA.com
Kelsea Ballerini made her only CMA Fest appearance on Thursday, June 4, stepping out for the live finale of SoFi’s Amplify Your Ambitions Contest at Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville as CMA Fest 2026 officially got underway.
The event, created in partnership with Ballerini and the Country Music Association (CMA), brought together emerging artists from across the country for a chance to break through one of music’s biggest barriers: the cost of building a sustainable career in the industry.
After weeks of submissions and fan voting, finalists Karen Hardy, Shantania, and The Kentucky Gentleman took the stage for live performances in front of a judging panel that included Ballerini, SoFi Chief of Financial Empowerment Vivian Tu, and GRAMMY-winning songwriter Shane McAnally.
At the end of the night, Karen Hardy was named the winner of the competition, taking home the $200,000 grand prize to support her music career, while the other finalists each received $50,000 runner-up awards.
Following Hardy’s crowning moment, Ballerini took to the stage to deliver a performance of fan-favorite hits like “Baggage,” “Blindsided,” and more.
The star-studded event also drew appearances from actor Chace Crawford, singer/songwriter Stelly Lefty, country/pop breakout star Dasha, Olympic gold medalist and entrepreneur Shawn Johnson East, and more.
Amplify Your Ambitions is rooted in SoFi’s belief that financial independence fuels big dreams. While talent is a key part of success, many rising artists still face major financial obstacles when trying to build long-term careers in music.
Through the contest, SoFi teamed up with Kelsea Ballerini and the CMA to help ease some of those challenges by offering financial backing, increased visibility, and real opportunities to the next wave of artists.
“I know firsthand how much it takes to build a career in music, especially when you’re funding it on your own,” Ballerini previously shared. “That’s why I’m excited to partner with SoFi on this. We’re looking for artists with passion, determination, and a strong sense of who they are, artists who are not only committed to their craft but thoughtful about how they invest in themselves and their music.”
CMA Fest officially wrapped up on Sunday, June 7.
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.
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