Carly Pearce On Recent Split: We ‘Were Not Right For Each Other’

Carly Pearce has spoken publicly about her recent breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Riley King. Carly said at yesterday's (6/7) Billboard panel on women in country music of the recent split, "For the most part, it was great. People date to see if they're gonna go the distance, and we weren't."

She added, "We just simply were not right for each other, and that's the bottom line. I am on such a beautiful journey, and I am really excited about the next chapter of my life."

Riley spoke to The New York Post's Page Six about the breakup on Tuesday (6/6). The real estate agent said, "Carly and I have parted ways, and I wish her nothing but the best in both her career and personal life."

The couple have been together since 2021. Pearce plays Nissan Stadium tonight at CMA Fest in Nashville. She said of the career milestone, "I've waited 13 years to be able to play this stage. You work, and you work, and you work, and you wanna get to that main stage. This is the first full set that I've ever done. It's going to be one of the most special moments of my life."

She teased, "I do have a special guest that I think people are gonna love!"

Pearce's next single at country radio is a duet with Chris Stapleton called "We Don't Fight Anymore." The new song will be available everywhere on June 16.

Carly said of the new collaboration, "I've always wanted to write music that makes people feel something – whether that is feeling seen, less alone, happy, or even uncomfortable. 'We Don't Fight Anymore' felt like I was writing one of those stories that, whether or not we want to include it in our social media highlight reel, we've either been there or are living there right now."

She added, "Having Chris Stapleton join me on this song was a dream come true, and he unlocked an element to the story that I didn't even know it needed."

Not all country stars, or country superstars for that matter, can say they are Grammy winners. It's arguably the most coveted award in the music business and is voted on by music peers. Some artists never get a single Grammy nod in their careers, even though they sell millions and millions of albums worldwide.

That is not the case for Carly Pearce. She won her first Grammy earlier this year (2023) in the "Best Duo/Group Performance" category for "Never Wanted To Be That Girl," a duet with Ashley McBryde.

Carly said shortly after she won her Grammy with her friend Ashley, "We just learned that this is the first time that all females have won this award in this particular category. I always loved Ashley's music. I just was a fan and asked her if she'd write a song with me. So, to see this song do what it's done. And just continue to show the girls that are coming up behind us that you can write your truth, and you can do everything that you want in this business. I feel very, very lucky and to do it with somebody that I respect so much as an artist and as a person."

As Pearce celebrates her 33rd birthday today (4/24), we rank seven of her best songs, many of which led her to Grammy stardom, including the song she won the honor for.