Swimsuit

Kelsea Ballerini’s Backless Red Dress Also Has the Most Daring Chest Cut-Out

The singer-songwriter walked the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet on her 30th birthday.

Cara O’Bleness

Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini.

Kelsea Ballerini celebrated her 30th birthday in epic fashion: by taking the MTV Video Music Awards stage to perform her track “Penthouse” on Tuesday evening. While the singer-songwriter executed a confusingly quick outfit change while singing, we’re equally blown away by her red carpet look in New Jersey on Sept. 12.

Ballerini stepped out in a fiery red custom backless MÔNOT dress for the occasion, which ended just above her rear. The gorgeous gown also featured a criss-cross halter neck and chest cut-out in front.

Stylist Molly Dickson accented the stunning ensemble with a few gold cuff bracelets on each of Ballerini’s wrists, while celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan Fisher opted for simple yet chic glam, including shimmery eyelids and a nude lip. The “half of my hometown” singer’s newly shortened blonde locks were styled in loose waves that allowed the back (or lack thereof) of her dress to shine.

“about to perform on the freaking @vmas on my freaking 30th birthday pinch me and tune in ❤️💋,” Ballerini wrote in her Instagram caption of the glamorous look.

Tons of Ballerini’s 3.8 million followers, including fans and celebrity friends, quickly hyped the birthday girl up in the comments section.

“Oh yessss! 😍,” Reese Witherspoon declared.

“Baby got backkkkk,” Abby Anderson quipped.

“Damn!!!🔥🔥,” Karen Fairchild exclaimed.

The singer-songwriter’s boyfriend, Outer Banks star Chase Stokes, shared the cutest IG post for his partner’s birthday. “dirty 30 looks pretty damn good on you ballerini,” he wrote in the carousel caption. “i love you ❤️.”

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.