Kylie Morgan says her latest performance felt like reading “my personal diary on stage.”

On Thursday (Aug. 14), the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter shared a poignant message about being overcome with emotion as she performed “Then You Happened” live for the first time — the deeply personal ballad inspired by her divorce from fellow country artist Jay Allen.

‘I Almost Couldn’t Finish the Song’

In a vulnerable Instagram post, Morgan admitted she nearly fell apart while debuting the track, which was released on Aug. 8.

“This was the first time I ever performed ‘Then You Happened’ live,” she wrote. “I almost couldn’t finish the song because of so many emotions (appreciate everyone there who was so sweet to me about tearing up).”

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Morgan described the experience as both terrifying and cathartic.

“Writing songs about your life is terrifying. Reading the world your diary is like bleeding on paper and singing it for all to hear,” she explained, adding that sharing her story inevitably “opens the door to opinions, mean hateful words, and criticism from people who don’t even know you, your battles, or your real story.”

Even so, she says the outpouring of listener stories has made it worth it.

“Reading all of your ‘Then You Happened’ stories & seeing how it has become a healing anthem for so many of you makes every negative and mean comment worth it,” she added.

A Song Born From Heartbreak — and Healing

Morgan co-wrote “Then You Happened” with Eric Arjen and Levi Hummon.

The lyrics chronicle her journey from feeling trapped in her marriage to discovering love again:

“Ball and chain, four walls / Felt trapped in my own home / Soon as I got out / Swore I was better off alone / My heart had turned to stone / Then you happened to walk in …”

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Morgan and Allen began dating in 2015, got engaged in May 2021, and married in November 2022.

The couple separated in October 2024, and Morgan filed for divorce on Valentine’s Day this year. Their split was finalized on May 22.

Moving Forward

Morgan says she was “genuinely so nervous” about releasing the song, but she’s embracing her new chapter — and grateful for the connection it’s created with fans.

“You happened,” she told them in her post, “and I’m so grateful you did.”