Kelsea Ballerini suffered from an eating disorder as a teen until age 18, batting bulimia and developing unhealthy habits like working out excessively and taking diet pills. She had also passed out several times until she finally asked for help, the country singer told People in 2021. "My parents had just gotten divorced, and I think for me, it was a source of control," Ballerini told the outlet. 

While she no longer deals with an eating disorder, there have been moments in her career where her body-image issues have resurfaced. After a performance on Today in 2015, Ballerini read an article alleging she was pregnant because of her belly, she told People, adding, "I reverted back to that 12-year-old version of me." However, she overcame those insecurities.

Ballerini has been an open book about her struggles with fans. In July 2020, she shared on Instagram a photo of her in workout clothes. In the caption, she spoke about body image and how the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on hers. "If you've been silently insecure about the way your body has handled this year, you're not alone and I'm sending you a big hug," she told fans.