Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Turn Up the Heat at the 2023 VMAs in Matching Red-Hot Looks

Ballerini and Stokes made their VMAs debut on the country singer's 30th birthday

Kelsea Ballerini is 30, flirty and thriving at the MTV Video Music Awards — and she has her beau Chase Stokes right by her side.

The country star and Outer Banks actor, 30, showed up matching red-hot outfits, she in a custom, silk Mônot halter gown with a center cutout and open back silhouette, and he in a long blazer styled over a black shirt (left unbuttoned to show some skin), white pants and black loafers.

In conversation with MTV ahead of the ceremony, Ballerini said the couple's coordinating looks were her idea, Stokes adding that the moment happened serendipitously.

This year's show also doubles as a birthday celebration for the Rolling Up the Welcome Mat artist, who is celebrating her 30th birthday on Sept. 12.

"It's too much to really process if I'm being so honest with you. I'm overstimulated in every way. To be able to perform on an all-genre show like this and represent country music (hopefully well) but also just myself — I feel like its been such a huge year in my personal life and in my career and I feel really happy to be able to present that tonight. My mom's here, my man's here, my friends are here. I'm happy."

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Though the 2023 ceremony marks her VMAs debut, the singer-songwriter is not new to award show style. In April, when she co-hosted the CMT Music Awards with Kane Brown, and set the mood as emcee with a series of fun looks.

Ballerini not only hosted but performed at the 2023 CMT Music Awards, where she took the stage to perform her song "If You Go Down," with backing from several RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, sending a message about anti-drag legislation.

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After walking the VMAs red carpet, the singer will also perform, gracing the MTV award show’s stage for the very first time.

She teased her VMAs debut with a celebratory Instagram post earlier in the week.

“THIRTY to life would go quicker with them 🫶 now let’s *officially* bring in this next decade on tuesday at the VMA’s shall we?!” the singer captioned the pre-birthday post.

Check out PEOPLE's full MTV VMAs coverage to get the latest news on music’s big night.

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The “Half of My Hometown” singer will share the VMAs stage with musicians including Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Demi Lovato, Doja Cat, Karol G, Lil Wayne, Måneskin, Olivia Rodrigo, Anitta, Stray Kids and the ceremony's host, Nicki Minaj.

Global icon award recipient Sean “Diddy” Combs and video vanguard award recipient Shakira will also perform later in the evening.

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The 2023 MTV VMAs are airing live from The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Tuesday, Sept. 12 on CBS and BET, BET Her, VH1, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network. Viewers can also catch the show through an MTV.com live stream or on Paramount+.

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