Kelsea Ballerini and SoFi: Commercials, Rising Stars Program & Partnership
From SoFi commercials to Tennessee’s Rising Stars Program and a nationwide music initiative, Ballerini’s partnership with SoFi continues to expand.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Last Updated: September 7, 2026
elsea Ballerini’s partnership with SoFi includes television commercials, financial education programs, and initiatives supporting students and emerging musicians.
Ballerini first teamed with SoFi and tnAchieves in 2025 to launch the Rising Stars Program, a $2 million initiative focused on providing Tennessee students with financial education, coaching, and additional resources. In 2026, she continued working with SoFi through the company’s partnership with the Country Music Association and a nationwide program for emerging artists.
Is Kelsea Ballerini in the SoFi Commercial?
Yes. Kelsea Ballerini has appeared in multiple SoFi commercials as part of her partnership with the financial services company.
In the 2025 commercial “Not Just About the Music,” Ballerini is shown preparing for a concert while discussing financial independence and her partnership with SoFi. Her song “Baggage” is featured in the commercial.
Ballerini also appeared in the SoFi Plus commercial “Start With Yourself,” which features her discussing the SoFi app and benefits available through SoFi Plus before walking onstage for a concert.
Her work with SoFi has extended beyond the commercials, including programs focused on financial education and supporting people working toward education and career goals.
Kelsea Ballerini and SoFi Launch Amplify Your Ambitions
In April 2026, Ballerini, SoFi, and the Country Music Association launched Amplify Your Ambitions, a nationwide contest created to support emerging musicians as they work to build sustainable careers.
The program offered a $200,000 grand prize, along with two $50,000 runner-up prizes. Artists were evaluated on their music, storytelling, performance, and plans for using the financial support to advance their careers.
Ballerini joined songwriter and producer Shane McAnally and SoFi Chief of Financial Empowerment Vivian Tu on the judging panel.
Ballerini said in SoFi’s announcement that she understands the financial challenges that can come with trying to establish a career in music:
“I know firsthand how much it takes to build a career in music, especially when you're funding it on your own.”
Who Won SoFi’s Amplify Your Ambitions Contest?
The Amplify Your Ambitions competition culminated on June 4, 2026, during CMA Fest week in Nashville.
Finalists Karen Hardy, The Kentucky Gentlemen, and Shantaia performed at The Analog at the Hutton Hotel in front of Ballerini, McAnally, and Tu.
Karen Hardy was named the winner, receiving the $200,000 grand prize from SoFi to help further her music career. The other two finalists each received $50,000.
The program expanded Ballerini and SoFi’s partnership beyond financial education and into direct support for emerging musicians pursuing long-term careers.
What Is the SoFi Rising Stars Program?
Ballerini’s work with SoFi began in 2025 with a focus closer to home.
Ballerini, SoFi, and nonprofit organization tnAchieves launched the Rising Stars Program, backed by a $2 million initiative aimed at helping Tennessee students develop the financial skills and resources needed to pursue education, careers, and long-term financial independence.
SoFi committed more than $500,000 in grants to expand the tnAchieves COMPLETE program, which provides students with additional assistance throughout their postsecondary education.
What Does the SoFi Rising Stars Program Provide?
Through the partnership, the COMPLETE program was able to expand several forms of support for Tennessee students, including:
One-on-one student coaching
Financial assistance for food, housing, laptops, textbooks, and emergency expenses
Financial education covering budgeting, investing, and saving for future goals
Additional resources for COMPLETE coaches working directly with students
The Rising Stars Program also included opportunities designed to encourage young adults to begin learning about investing and building financial independence earlier.
For Ballerini, who grew up in Tennessee before moving to Nashville as a teenager to pursue music, the partnership offered an opportunity to help young people in her home state gain access to resources that can affect their futures.
SoFi’s Partnership With CMA Fest
Ballerini’s continued involvement with SoFi also comes as the company has expanded its presence within country music.
In 2025, SoFi entered a multi-year partnership with the Country Music Association, becoming the official bank and first presenting sponsor of CMA Fest. SoFi returned as the presenting sponsor for CMA Fest in 2026.
The Amplify Your Ambitions program brought those relationships together, combining SoFi’s financial focus, CMA’s support of the country music community, and Ballerini’s experience building a career as a singer and songwriter.
What began with the Rising Stars Program for Tennessee students has expanded to include SoFi commercials, CMA Fest, and opportunities for emerging musicians nationwide, continuing Ballerini’s relationship with the company beyond the original 2025 campaign.