Despite near-freezing temperatures, superstar Kelsea Ballerini took the time to chat with fans and pose for selfies before taking the stage at her Citi concert on October 25.

It was a busy Friday for Ballerini, who released her latest studio album, “Patterns,” just hours before taking the TODAY stage. The following Tuesday she played a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden.

If the country star was tired, you wouldn’t know it. With her infectious energy and melodies, Ballerini had the audience singing and dancing along to a performance that began with her 2022 hit “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).”

Along with some fan-favorite hits, Ballerini performed her new song “Baggage” for the first time ever on the TODAY stage, which was decorated with stacks of luggage as a nod to the title.

Ballerini’s schedule is about to get even busier: In January she’ll embark on her first arena tour and next spring she’ll become a full-time coach for the 27th season of “The Voice.”

Through it all, she’s found ways to keep her loved ones close, from working with music industry friends on “Patterns” — an experience she describes as “femininity with a little wine” — to filming the music video for her Single “First Rodeo” with her boyfriend of almost two years, “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes.

After the performance, Ballerini sat down with us for the TODAY original video series “8 Before 8,” where she talked about her upcoming tour, the best Virgo qualities and sage advice on how to successfully slide into a stranger’s DMs.

What was the inspiration for the name of your latest album?

I chose “Patterns” because I feel like it encompasses the whole record thematically. It’s a love letter to self-assessment, so to speak. I started writing this album when I was 30. Now I’m 31 and it kind of covers that part of my life. Of course, we look a little more introspectively into ourselves and analyze where we are, what we love about our life and our surroundings and what we then want to develop.

What was it like working with an all-female team for this album?

I was lucky enough to only work with women on this record – four of them, Jessie Jo Dillon, Karen Fairchild, Hillary Lindsey and Alysa Vanderheym. And the reason for that wasn’t this pre-calculated idea. I honestly knew that I needed to feel confident to start writing a record, so I called my friends who were just incredible pillars of music. We went to a retreat outside of St. Louis, and it was just femininity with some wine. A lot of music was created and these are “patterns”.

Do you have a message for your fellow Voice trainers?

You know, it’s such a lovefest this season. There is so much love and respect, especially among the coaches. But don’t think that I don’t want to win! Listen, I know I’m that girl. I know I’m new. I know you are 85 years older than me. That’s the mood.

What is another creative avenue you would like to explore in the future?

I really love cooking. I want to get better at it because I’m Italian. So I definitely have to get into the pasta world. I want to be a host. That’s my thing. When my friends come over, I always ask myself: “What would you like to eat, drink?” What do you need? Sweatpants? What can I get you?” I think that’s part of my love language.

What was it like working with his friend Chase Stokes for the “First Rodeo” music video?

“First Rodeo” is the first love song I wrote for Patterns, and I couldn’t bring an image into the world without having his essence in it. I mean, the song is about him and that moment when he gives in to the idea of ​​falling in love again. And it’s interesting. It’s like this delicate balance where we love being able to share our relationship but also want to protect it at the same time. That’s why I’m really proud of how we managed to gently incorporate “us” into the video together. But we still don’t want to take advantage of it – our relationship. I just wanted his heart in it.

What’s your best advice on how to successfully slide into someone’s DMs?

Am I known for this now? Am I a DM slider?

You just have to fire your shot because I think the worst that can happen is that it doesn’t work out, and that means it’s not meant to be. But you come from a place of empowerment. No harm, no foul. Shoot your shot. Send the DM, send the text.

Not to your ex, though. Put down your phone. Put it down.

How are you preparing for your sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden?

With lots of samples. It’s a whole new record. It’s a completely new show. I mean, our production is the biggest I’ve ever had as a headliner. And we just got back from rehearsals in the city of New York. I think I just want to be there. I want to bring this record to life for the first time and do it on stage at MSG, which I’ve never played before… I mean, it’s one for the books. As for me, I will remember this for the rest of my life.

What can your fans expect from your upcoming tour?

We have a hydraulic elevator. We have some movement. We have a little pyro. Mostly it’s a show that I wanted to feel was very all-encompassing. It’s very image-heavy and I just want people to feel like they’re immersed in another world for an hour and a half. Whether you’re more connected to yourself, to the person you’re with, or to us on stage, I just want you to feel connected. So we really tried to make the whole evening feel like that.

If you could form a supergroup with two other country artists, who would you choose?

I would choose Carly Pearce because we are just real friends. I love her so much. And I would choose Shania (Twain) because I think we both just love her. We had her sing the whole time and just kept the backing vocals back.

Rapid fire bullet:

Describe your upcoming tour in three words.

Visual, emotional and entertaining.

What is your favorite coffee order?

An oat milk latte with a splash of pumpkin spice. Just one – just enough to get a hint of autumn.

Favorite karaoke song?

My favorite karaoke song is “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson because no one can really sing that except Kelly Clarkson.

What is the most Virgo-typical thing about you?

What is not virgin about me? I love a plan. I’m a control freak. I am very neat in the way I operate in a career field. But if you’ve seen my bathroom or my closet, that’s not exactly virgin of me. It’s just open suitcases, clothes everywhere. But my boyfriend is also a virgin and he feels the same way. So I’m wondering how this works. I should talk to an astrologer about this.

Last show you saw and loved?

The last show I watched and loved was Nobody Wants This on Netflix. I’m already dying for Kristen Bell, but I think the way this show was written and portrayed, like a modern relationship, is just so delicious. I’m such a fan.