Kelsea Ballerini has made headlines in the past for clapping back at netizens who tried to troll her for her body weight, but that confidence was hard-earned.

The songstress took to her Instagram to share with the world that she has long struggled with her body image. So much so that back in 2015, she did not feel “thin enough” to be worthy of attending the Academy of Country Music Awards. This revelation came just hours before her performance on the ACM Awards 2021.

Kelsea Ballerini's story on Instagram

Kelsea Ballerini's story on Instagram (Source: Instagram)

Ballerini Felt Unworthy To Walk Red Carpets

The gorgeous country superstar put up the story with a trigger warning around midnight on Saturday, where she narrated one of her first red carpet appearances. The red carpet in discussion is the ACM Awards 2015. 

I remember doing a several day "juice cleanse" (not eating) leading up to it hopoing I would look thing enough to feel worthy of being there.

She further admitted that she still struggles with body image, but that did not stop her from getting properly nourished and getting ready to rock the stage of this year's AMA Awards. She was looking forward to the event. 

She has since realized that her worth didn't come from anything other than how she felt, and she was proud of that progress. Almost as a reminder of her old self, the snap featured in the story was from back when she was visibly skinnier. 

She Clapped Back Against Trolls in the Past

It is hard to believe that Ballerini, known to have clapped back against online trolls, was fighting body-image issues. Back in 2018, the country superstar had graced the runway at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City.

Naturally, her social media reflected the same. At the time, a user commented, "Lose some weight" on her Instagram post. Well, let's just say that she gave them a piece of her mind. 

I am a healthy, normal chick, which I pride myself on and work hard for, and want other young girls to see that and know that 'skinny' is not always the goal.

She also called out their audacity to comment on her weight or size as "disgusting" and quipped that she was going to get a burger right then. Her fans and a few other celebs also appreciated her sassy remark.

"Yes ma'am!!" Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon wrote. Pretty Little Liars alum Lucy Hale added, "Tell me, sister."

Less than an hour before the country singer shared her story, the official ACM Awards Instagram posted a video of her expressing excitement over the fantastic lineup of stars she will be performing with. She also invited everyone watching the video to join in on the telecast.