The country star — whocelebrated her 30th birthdaythe same day — walked the red carpet with boyfriendChase Stokes, revealing a hummingbird tattoo on her mid-back as she turned around for the cameras.
Ballerinishared a photoon Instagram at the awards show, posing with the tattoo in full view before performing onstage.
“about to perform on the freaking@vmason my freaking 30th birthday pinch me and tune in ❤️💋,” she captioned the post.

Kevin Mazur/Getty
“It’s too much to really process if I’m being so honest with you,” Ballerini said. “I’m overstimulated in every way. To be able to perform on an all-genre show like this and represent country music (hopefully well) but also just myself — I feel like it’s been such a huge year in my personal life and in my career and I feel really happy to be able to present that tonight. My mom’s here, my man’s here, my friends are here. I’m happy.”
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The “Penthouse” singer shared the stage with several superstars, includingMegan Thee Stallion,Cardi B,Demi Lovato,Doja Cat,Lil Wayne,Olivia Rodrigo,Anitta,Stray Kids, and the ceremony’s host,Nicki Minaj, amongst others.
Global Icon AwardrecipientSean “Diddy” Combsand video vanguard award winnerShakiraperformed later in the evening.
Although this year’s VMAs was Ballerini’s first time in attendance, the singer-songwriter knows how to rock an award show outfit. She co-hosted theCMT Music AwardswithKane Brownin April, andchanged into many fun looksto set the mood.
She also sang her 2022 song “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)” withRuPaul’s Drag Racecontestants joining her in vocal harmony, as a way of protesting the laws that target drag performers.
Earlier in the week, the singer teased her VMAs debut onInstagram, captioning the pre-birthday post with, “THIRTY to life would go quicker with them 🫶 now let’s officially bring in this next decade on tuesday at the VMA’s shall we?!”
source: people.com