Kelsea Ballerini Auditioned for 'The White Lotus' Role Played by Haley Lu Richardson

Kelsea Ballerini recently opened up about auditioning for the hit HBO series The White Lotus, revealing she tried out for the role of Portia, ultimately played by Haley Lu Richardson. Speaking to PEOPLE at the Variety Power of Women Nashville event, Ballerini said she had “no shame” about going after acting roles, even jokingly admitting, “What if I suck on TV?”

Though she didn’t land the dramatic part (which featured intense scenes such as kidnapping and escape) Ballerini praised Richardson’s performance as “brilliant and beautiful.” Still, the country star didn’t leave empty-handed. She made her acting debut in ABC’s Doctor Odyssey, playing a bridezilla on a cruise-ship wedding episode titled “I Always Cry At Weddings.”

Although she didn’t land 'The White Lotus' part, Ballerini still made her acting debut in ABC’s Doctor Odyssey, starring Joshua Jackson and Phillipa Soo.

Ballerini credits boyfriend Chase Stokes, star of Netflix’s Outer Banks, for supporting her acting ambitions. He encouraged her during rehearsals, reminding her acting was a shared creative space. With music still her main focus, Ballerini views acting as a challenge worth exploring—just another way to “run toward the things that scare” her.