Kelsea Ballerini Files Lawsuit Against Alleged Hacker for Leaking Unreleased Music

Country singer Kelsea Ballerini has filed a lawsuit against Bo Ewing, a former member of her fan club, for purportedly hacking into her devices and illegally obtaining and sharing unreleased music. The court documents, filed on April 24, 2024, allege that Ewing gained "back-door access" to Ballerini's or her producer's device to obtain the unfinished tracks, which have already been shared with multiple third parties.

Ballerini, along with her producer Alysa Vanderheym and her record label Black River Entertainment, have secured an injunction to protect the recordings and prevent further harm to the integrity of the creative process. The lawsuit cites "continued, irreparable harm" to those named in the filing.

Why this matters: The case highlights the vulnerability of artists' devices and the potential for fans to access and share unreleased music without permission, compromising the creative process and an artist's control over their work.

A spokesperson for the 30-year-old country singer emphasized the importance of protecting an artist's music, stating, "Stealing and sharing unfinished music is illegal and harms the integrity of the creative process. Music is the result of countless hours of work and creativity, and it's essential to protect an artist's right to share their art on their own terms."

The alleged hacking incident comes as Ballerini has reflected on her "life-changing" year, which included her divorce from Morgan Evans and a new relationship with actor Chase Stokes. She recently shared how these personal changes have made her more "selfish" about her music, allowing her to be more truthful and relatable in her songwriting, as evidenced by her Grammy-nominated EP "Rolling Up the Welcome Mat".

Ballerini, who was recently spotted in Los Angeles wearing a workout look that included Reebok's newly released FloatZig 1 running shoes, has not let the legal battle deter her from her creative pursuits. The singer remains focused on protecting her music and the integrity of the artistic process, as she continues to share her personal stories through her craft.

Key Takeaways

• Kelsea Ballerini sues former fan club member for hacking, leaking unreleased music.
• Ballerini, producer, and label seek injunction to protect recordings and creative process.
• Incident highlights vulnerability of artists' devices and fans' access to unreleased music.
• Ballerini emphasizes importance of protecting artists' right to share their art.
• Ballerini remains focused on her creative pursuits despite the legal battle.