It is a question that seems to follow her everywhere, from the neon-lit aisles of a Nashville grocery store to the red carpets of the Grammys. Is Kacey Musgraves married? If you are looking for a quick "yes" or "no" for 2026, here it is: No, Kacey Musgraves is not currently married.
She's single. Or, at the very least, she isn't wearing a ring or filing joint taxes with anyone.
But honestly, the "single" label feels a bit too simple for an artist who has spent the last decade turning her romantic upheavals into high art. Kacey doesn't just date; she chronicles. She doesn't just divorce; she creates a "star-crossed" tragedy. To understand where she is now, you kind of have to look at the wreckage and the resurrections that got her here.
The Ruston Kelly Years: A "Golden Hour" That Faded
Most fans still associate Kacey's marital status with Ruston Kelly. It makes sense. He was the muse for Golden Hour, an album so bright and lovestruck it basically redefined modern country music. They met at the Bluebird Cafe in 2016—a classic Nashville "meet-cute"—and were married by October 2017.
For a while, it was perfect. Then, it wasn't.
In July 2020, they dropped the bombshell joint statement that they were calling it quits. They said it was a "soul connection that can never be erased," but that they simply didn't work as husband and wife.
🔗 Read more: Why Sexy Pictures of Mariah Carey Are Actually a Masterclass in Branding
Why the divorce actually happened
While the public statement was polite, the music that followed (and some later interviews) painted a more complex picture. There was talk of growing in different directions. Ruston has been open about his struggles with addiction and his journey toward sobriety, while Kacey’s album star-crossed hinted at the suffocating feeling of trying to save a marriage that was already dead in the water.
Interestingly, Ruston later revealed he actually tried to win her back. He even had a jeweler recreate her engagement ring and proposed again after the split. She said no. That’s a detail a lot of casual fans miss—the door wasn't just closed; it was locked.
The Cole Schafer Chapter: More Than a Rebound?
After the divorce was finalized, everyone wondered who would be next. Enter Cole Schafer. He’s a poet and copywriter, and for about two years, he was a fixture on Kacey’s Instagram. They met because they locked eyes in a crowded restaurant. He didn't know who she was. For a global superstar, that is basically the ultimate aphrodisiac.
They were "all in." Kacey even told The Cut that she doesn't regret loving hard, even when it ends.
But it did end.
💡 You might also like: Lindsay Lohan Leak: What Really Happened with the List and the Scams
By late 2023, the rumors started swirling. They unfollowed each other (the modern version of a legal separation). By early 2024, it was confirmed: Kacey and Cole were over.
Some reports suggested they just didn't "gel" anymore. Others hinted that Cole wasn't a fan of being "the plus-one" at high-profile events. Whatever the reason, the poet and the songwriter went their separate ways. Since then, Kacey has been noticeably more private about her dating life, focusing more on her "Deeper Well" era than on finding a new husband.
Is Kacey Musgraves Married in 2026?
As of right now, Kacey is enjoying her independence. There have been no secret weddings, no surprise engagements, and no "hard launches" of a new partner on social media.
Wait—I should clarify one thing. In August 2025, she did "hard launch" a new relationship on Instagram that sent fans into a frenzy. But it wasn't a man. It was a horse named Nava. She met the cream-colored horse in Oregon and joked that she’d finally found "the one."
Aside from her equine companions, Kacey seems to be leaning into a period of solitude. Her recent work, including her collaboration on Megan Moroney’s 2026 album Cloud 9, suggests she's more interested in her artistry and her "high self" than in walking down the aisle again.
📖 Related: Kaley Cuoco Tit Size: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Transformation
Common Misconceptions About Her Marital Status
People get confused because Kacey writes so vividly about love. Here are a few things people often get wrong:
- "Is she back with Ruston?" No. They remain "true friends," but the romantic ship has sailed.
- "Is she engaged to a mystery man?" There is zero evidence for this. Kacey is currently very focused on her world tours and creative collaborations.
- "Did she get married in secret?" Highly unlikely. Kacey has always been a "share everything" kind of person when she's in love. If there was a wedding, we’d see the aesthetic photos.
What’s Next for Kacey?
Kacey is currently riding the wave of her Deeper Well success and stepping into new territories. She’s featured on the track "Bells & Whistles" on Megan Moroney's upcoming February 2020 release, and her own tour schedule remains packed.
If you're keeping tabs on her heart, the best place to look isn't the tabloids—it's her lyrics. She’s made it clear that she’s "done with the games" and is looking for something grounded, or perhaps nothing at all for a while.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow the Music, Not the Rumors: If Kacey gets married again, you'll hear it in the songwriting long before a press release.
- Check the "Hard Launches": Kacey is a fan of the Instagram "hard launch." If she isn't posting them, she's likely single.
- Respect the "Deeper Well": This current era is about self-reflection and nature. The lack of a partner seems to be a choice, not a void.
Kacey Musgraves isn't married, but she isn't "alone" either. She’s just living her life on her own terms, which is exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Space Cowboy.