Image Courtesy Jeremy Ryan/Black RiverCountry newcomer Kelsea Ballerini is making a splash at country radio with her debut hit, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” so we thought it was time you learned how to pronounce her last name. She recently embarrassed herself in front of a songwriter in Nashville explaining how to say her last name and earned a new nickname in the process.

Kelsea tells ABC Radio, “I saw him in the hallway, and he goes, “What’s your name again?” And just without even thinking I go, ‘Kelsea Ballerini. Like Tortellini. Like a noodle.’ So, my nickname is [now] ‘Noodle.'”

Some people pronounce Kelsea’s last name as “ballerina” on first glance, which is appropriate since she studied ballet as a kid. Kelsea also had a spot on a competitive hip-hop dance team.

She says, “[It’s] is hilarious now. But I loved it, and I think that, honestly, helped me, like, appreciate grooves and beats and stuff like that and movement.”

While Kelsea still loves to dance, she doesn’t feel quite as confident busting a move during her concerts.

“On stage now, you can tell that I really try, but it’s not cute anymore,” Kelsea says with a laugh.

Kelsea releases her debut album, The First Time, on May 19.


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