Get to Know Kelsea Ballerini, Country's New Darling — and Taylor Swift's Friend

Updated on June 22, 2015 at 1:55 PM

When a label told Kelsea Ballerini, "There's already a Taylor Swift," after seeing her pink sparkly guitar case, she could have been discouraged to pursue her country music dreams — but lucky for her and her fans, she wasn't. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter's debut album, The First Time, came out in May and she just hit a huge milestone — her song "Love Me Like You Mean It" topped the country radio singles chart today, making Kelsea the first female solo artist in nine years to have a debut single go No. 1 (previously it was Carrie Underwood).

Learn all about the rising star in this video now — and as for those Taylor Swift comparisons? It looks like there's no bad blood between the musicians:

Driving around with the @KelseaBallerini EP on repeat.. SO lovely:) #yeahboy #lovemelikeyoumeanit

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) March 9, 2015

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Get to Know Kelsea Ballerini, Country's New Darling — and Taylor Swift's Friend

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