See Kelsea Ballerini's Jaw-Dropping Dress Change in the Middle of Her MTV VMAs Performance

If you go down a rabbit hole to try to figure out how Kelsea Ballerini completed that wardrobe change during her 2023 MTV Video Music Awards performance of "Penthouse," we’re goin' down too.

Half of my hometown—or least many on the internet—want to know how Kelsea Ballerini pulled off that wardrobe change at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

In case you missed it, the singer took the stage at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Sept. 12 for a moving performance of her hit "Penthouse." And while Kelsea started off the number in a white gown, there was then a puff of smoke and flash of bright light in the middle of the performance that, once cleared, revealed she had switched into a black mini dress (watch the jaw-dropping moment below).

And fans couldn't get enough of the mesmerizing move.

"I need someone to explain this Kelsea Ballerini sorcery to me #MTVVMAs," one social media user posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Added another, "THAT OUTFIT CHANGE." Agreed a third, "THE WAY I SCREAMED WHEN I SAW THIS." 

As for how exactly Kelsea pulled off the fashion feat? Photos from the performance suggest she ripped off the white gown and tossed it behind her to display the black dress she was sporting underneath. She later showed on TikTok exactly how she stripped off her gown with a snap on one side under her arm.

These weren't Kelsea's only looks of the night, either. While walking the red carpet with boyfriend Chase Stokes, the "Legends" artist rocked a red, backless dress that revealed her new hummingbird tattoo. As for the Outer Banks star, he matched his girlfriend by donning a red suit jacket over his black shirt and white pants.

@kelseaballerini telling my future children i was once houdini #penthouse #vmas ? original sound - Kelsea Ballerini

It was certainly a big night for Kelsea. In addition to giving her first VMAs performance, the country music superstar celebrated her 30th birthday at the ceremony.

"About to perform on the freaking @vmas on my freaking 30th birthday," she wrote on Instagram ahead of the event, "pinch me and tune in."

To see photos of more stars the 2023 MTV VMAs, keep reading.

In Dolce & Gabbana.

In Versace dress and Ariel Saidian, Anita Ko, and Maria Tash jewelry.

In Dilara Findikoglu.

In Versace.

In Ludovic de Saint Sernin.

In Oscar De La Renta.

Her in Mônot.

In Oscar de la Renta dress and Jimmy Choo shoes.

In Brandon Blackwood.

In Jean Paul Gaultier dress and Melissa Kaye jewelry.

In Coach dress and Simon G jewelry.

In Jason Wu.

In Shushu/Tong.

In Palomo Spain with Bible bag by Aylah Gallardo.

In Area.

In Maticevski.

In Alexandre Vauthier.

In Givenchy.

In Schiaparelli dress and Gianvito Rossi shoes.

In Moschino.

In Ashi Studio dress and Jacob & Co. jewelry.

In Roberto Cavalli.

In David Koma.

Catch up on every jaw-dropping 2023 Video Music Awards moment and red carpet look at E! News' VMAs blog.