Kacey Musgraves and her husband, Ruston Kelly, are going their separate ways. The couple announced in a joint statement that they have filed for divorce.
“With heavy but hopeful hearts we wanted to put our own thoughts into the air about what’s happening. These kinds of announcements are always met with scrutiny and speculation and we want to stop that before it even starts. We believe that we were put into each other’s lives for a divine reason and have both changed each other infinitely for the better. The love we have for each other goes far beyond the relationship we’ve shared as husband and wife. It’s a soul connection that can never be erased,” the statement read. “We’ve made this painful decision together — a healthy decision that comes after a very long period of trying the best we can. It simply just didn’t work. Though we are parting ways in marriage, we will remain true friends for the rest of our lives. We hold no blame, anger, or contempt for each other and we ask for privacy and positive wishes for us both as we learn how to navigate through this.”
The two were married in 2017. They have both seen success in the music industry as performers and songwriters. Musgraves earned herself a Grammy nomination as a songwriter in 2014 for writing Miranda Lambert‘s 2013 hit, “Mama’s Broken Heart.” Kelly has written songs for many artists, including Tim McGraw, Hayes Carll, Lucie Silvas and Josh Abbott Band.
Musgraves’ latest album, Golden Hour, won Album of the Year at the 2019 Grammys in addition to the other three awards for which it was nominated. Her debut album, Same Trailer, Different Park, won Best Country Album at the 2014 Grammys and the single from the album, “Merry Go’Round,” won Best Country Song.
Many of the songs on Golden Hour were inspired by Ruston Kelly. The “Space Cowboy” singer thanked him in her acceptance speech at the 2019 Grammys, saying, “I really believe I wouldn’t have this album if I hadn’t met you and you didn’t open my heart like you did, so thank you so much.”
The duo has also collaborated multiple times on different tracks. In 2018, they appeared on the song, “To June This Morning,” from the album Johnny Cash: Forever Words, a compilation project created from Cash’s unknown poetry, lyrics and letters set to music. Kelly will release a new album, Shape & Destroy, on August 28, which will include background vocals by Musgraves. Musgraves also sang background vocals on Kelly’s debut album, Dying Star.
Featured Image: Instagram (@SpaceyKacey)