Kelsea Ballerini is not your typical country music star. She's a girl's girl. 

The fast-moving development of social media has significantly shifted the music landscape, as it has become a vital tool for artists to connect with listeners. While many artists refuse to adapt, Ballerini has utilized  helpful resources to build her career, share her authentic self, and strengthen her adoring fandom. 

Since scoring her No.1 single "Love Me Like You Mean It," Ballerini has garnered 4 million on Instagram alone. Her powerful platforms have become a home base for fans –  a destination to witness the candid singer, relatable lifestyle, and a glimpse inside her creative process. 

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Ballerini previously told Billboard that her connection with fans has always been her top priority and a way to measure success. 

"It has become my way of measuring success," explained Ballerini. "For so long, I was searching for it in a No.1. I was searching for it by selling out a club or theater. That connection with fans – them being honest with me, me being honest with them – has become how I value where I'm at." 

The "Peter Pan" singer understands her influence and takes her role as a female trailblazer seriously. While many women in the country genre shy away from controversial or taboo topics, Ballerini tends to deliver eye-opening tracks that are destined to make fans feel less alone. Ballerini declared that she picked up this technique from Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus – two women who fearlessly place their hearts on the line. 

"I always lead with the young fan lens. I'm so protective of that because I know that there are not many females right now, especially in country, for little girls to look to. But I also think being a role model means [being] someone that is authentic, talks about their real life, and isn't just cookie-cutter," said the award-winning artist. "Even as [Swift has] reinvented herself for every season and record, she has always kept her fans right at the front of every decision she makes. I think I always was like, 'Well, Miley's doing it, Taylor's doing it. I want to do it too.'" 

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Similar to Swift and Cyrus, the country sensation is Subject To Change. Although Ballerini has evolved as an artist since her debut, her personal connection with listeners remained at the forefront. Ahead of her fourth studio album, the singer-songwriter spoke out about her life and how transparency inspired the 15-song collection. 

"I really want there to be something for everyone, which I know that's a cliché term, but if you're just experiencing growing up and the beauty of that, there's something for you. The messiness of that, there's a lot for you," she shared. "If you're experiencing love, there's something for you. If you're experiencing turmoil, there's something for you and everything in between. It's really a lot of self-discovery. And then within that, there's a lot of juxtaposition of dark and light on the journey it takes you through." 

The critically acclaimed album features the self-help anthem "Doin' My Best, "Love Is A Cowboy," "The Little Things," and the ballad "Marilyn." Ballerini covers a handful of themes from heartbreak, loneliness, societal standards, love, and finding contentment. Shortly after the album launch, Ballerini finalized her public split with country artist Morgan Evans and dropped Rolling Up the Welcome Mat – a divorce-inspired EP. 

The six–track project struck a nerve within fans, and catapulted Ballerini to new heights. She also released an accompanying short film, which includes six chapters addressing the breakup and the uplifting reaction from fans. 

"My journey with this album has been unlike any music I've ever put out," said the hitmaker. "It's been the most unexpected connection and response. The intention very much so was to put out the six songs and just let them exist. Whoever needed them or wanted to dig into it could, but it was never going to be something I played on tour. It was never going to be something that I really ever went fully into, and we just did not get that luxury. People really connected to it very swiftly," she added. 

The collection contains the autobiographical track "Penthouse," where she details her broken five-year marriage. Most recently (Aug. 11), the chart-topping artist pushed out an extended cut that features a new rendition of "Penthouse" and latest release, "How Do I Do This." The updated project highlights her healed heart and serves as a tribute to her supportive listeners. 

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"Every time I sing a song like 'Penthouse,' it felt different, it felt better. It felt less about what I wrote it about and more about the connection I was feeling with these other people that I have experienced a life shift or whatever. So, yeah I think putting it out in February versus re-releasing it now is kind of more of the story and just more of the moments that I found with the people that found the music." 

Since the shocking split, Ballerini has been romantically involved with Outer Banks star Chase Stokes. Fans can watch all-six chapters of her chilling short film, here. How do you stay connected with Ballerini? Let us know by sharing your fan of view below.