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Shania Twain hailed Kelsea Ballerini an “old soul in many ways,” gushing over the East Tennessean’s songwriting and authenticity as she was revealed on the 2023 TIME 100 Next list on Wednesday (September 13).
Twain, a global megastar known for decades of smash-hits and currently on her own headlining world tour, wrote about her relationship with Ballerini in a piece paired with TIME’s feature of the “HEARTFIRST” star and her impact on country music. The annual TIME 100 Next list spotlights rising leaders in various fields, including health, climate, business, sports, music and more.
“Kelsea Ballerini and I first met at a country-music awards show. I remember thinking back then how talented she was as a songwriter at such a young age. She’s an old soul in many ways. As a veteran songwriter, I’m always looking for authenticity, and I’m really inspired by clever songwriting—songwriting that is not only thought-provoking and meaningful but most of all original,” Twain wrote of Ballerini, in part. She added later: “I watch her work incredibly hard and challenge herself, but she also has fun, and that is wonderful to see. …she knows exactly where her heart is, and she always leads with love and inclusivity.”
Read Twain’s full reflection of her friendship with Ballerini here.
Ballerini’s feature in TIME — which published one day after her highly-anticipated MTV VMA debut, going hand-in-hand with her 30th birthday — reflects on an eventful year for the award-winning country star. That includes the surprise release of her deeply intimate EP and accompanying short film (Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, which re-released last month with a new track and lyric swaps to previously-released fan-favorites), her Saturday Night Live Debut, her performance at the CMT Music Awards that drew both support and criticism, touring (including performances on Twain’s ongoing “Queen Of Me Tour”) and more. Read the full interview here.