Madison Square Garden Crowd Helps Kelsea Ballerini Sing After She Breaks Down Crying About Her Dog

During Kelsea Ballerini’s triumphant Patterns record release show at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday (October 29), the country superstar was overcome with emotion during her performance of the poignant tune, “Penthouse.” The song features lyrics that candidly address her divorce while also mentioning her beloved dog, Dibs, who has recently been diagnosed with inoperable heart cancer. The lines, “I bought the house with a fence / Enough room for some kids, a backyard for Dibs,” caused Ballerini to break down in tears, but the sold-out crowd had her back, singing the next chorus for her while she tried to compose herself. It was a touching, vulnerable moment that is rare in arena shows, with Ballerini making that massive venue feel as intimate as a small Nashville club. Thankfully, the touching performance was captured by a fan on TikTok, so everyone who wasn’t at MSG can experience this emotional high point of Ballerini’s big release show. (Holler)