“Kelsea Ballerini Shares She Tried Out for the Role of Jennifer Coolidge’s Assistant on The White Lotus Season 2”

“The country singer also complimented Haley Lu Richardson, who secured the role, for her ‘brilliant and beautiful’ performance.”

“Kelsea Ballerini almost found herself in The White Lotus. During a recent conversation with Variety, she shared that she has ‘auditioned for many roles and didn’t get them,’ and at the Variety Power of Women Nashville event on May 1, she revealed to PEOPLE that she auditioned for the part of Portia, Tanya’s assistant, in season 2 of the hit HBO series—a role that ultimately went to Haley Lu Richardson. ‘I have no shame in my game!’ the 31-year-old singer told PEOPLE. ‘I auditioned for the second season of The White Lotus for the role that Haley played.’ She also praised Richardson for her ‘brilliant and beautiful’ performance.”

“In season 2 of the Mike White-created series, Portia becomes entangled in the dark side of Sicily, where she faces exploitation, kidnapping, and ultimately gets abandoned and sent back to the U.S. Although Ballerini didn’t land a role in one of the show’s stunning locations, she made her acting debut in the Joshua Jackson-led Doctor Odyssey. She portrayed a bridezilla planning her wedding aboard The Odyssey in the ABC medical drama.”

“In October, the country singer shared that diving into acting felt like a natural step for this chapter of her life. In a cover story for Women’s Health, she described acting as ‘one of those things I thought, ‘Run toward the things that scare you!” although she did confess her concern, saying, ‘What if I’m terrible on TV?’ She added, ‘But you know what I’ll do? I’ll put on my glitter and get back on stage. That’s always going to be my home base.'”

“At the premiere of the show in September, Ballerini told PEOPLE that she felt ‘timid’ about her debut, as it was her ‘first time ever trying out acting.’ ‘I wasn’t shy about the fact that it was my first time,’ she explained. ‘I asked a lot of questions, learned a ton, and really hope I did the character and the show justice.’ If she needed guidance, the Voice coach could turn to her boyfriend, Outer Banks star Chase Stokes, for support.”