7. Kelsea Ballerini
Back to country music stars, if one stands out in a non-controversial way, is connected to Tennessee football and is relevant now, Kelsea Ballerini is that one. Ballerini won three CMA Awards as recently as 2021, and she released a single earlier this year, “Heartfirst.”
That single is the lead single for an album set to come out Friday, Sept. 23, one day before this game. It’ll be titled “Subject to Change.” The same way Johnny Knoxville has a show out this week, Ballerini has an album coming out this week, and she’s the perfect candidate to keep young flare on Rocky Top while establishing the Tennessee ties.
Ballerini was born in Knox County, in Mascot, Tenn., and she is a Knoxville celebrity through and through. She has taken pictures with Smokey at Vols games on the field in the past, so she’s easily connected to the program, and it’s safe to say very few celebrities are hunger for a Tennessee win in this game than she is.
There’s national appeal with Ballerini too, as she has done a song with The Chainsmokers, and Taylor Swift has brought her out to perform in the past. Ballerini remains a star on the rise despite already being established, so she’s a great choice to represent Tennessee football on GameDay.