Ever feel like life just hands you a second act when you least expect it? That’s basically the vibe of Kimberly Perry’s life lately. Most of us spent the 2010s screaming the lyrics to "If I Die Young" at the top of our lungs, watching the curly-haired lead singer of The Band Perry dominate the charts alongside her brothers. But then, things got quiet. There was a messy public divorce from a baseball pro, a shift in musical style that confused some folks, and eventually, a total professional pivot.
Enter Johnny Costello.
If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or catching the latest country music news, you’ve definitely seen him. He’s the tall, blue-eyed guy who seems to be glued to Kimberly’s side. But he isn't just "the new guy" or a background character in her solo career. Honestly, the story of Kimberly Perry’s husband is way more interesting than the typical "celebrity meets guy at a bar" narrative. It involves a midnight run to Las Vegas, a massive career shift for The Band Perry, and a 2026 comeback that looks a lot different than the sibling trio we grew up with.
Who Exactly is Johnny Costello?
Let’s clear the air because people get him confused with industry execs or random models all the time. Johnny is a musician himself, which makes sense. You kind of have to understand the "bus life" to survive a relationship with a touring artist. He’s originally from Tennessee, and if you see them standing together, the height difference is the first thing you notice—he’s about 6’5”.
They met in October 2020 at a brunch in Dallas. Imagine that for a second. It’s the middle of the pandemic, everyone is wearing masks, and Kimberly Perry—who was pretty cynical about "love at first sight" at the time—walks into a room and just knows. She’s been quoted saying she had to actually force herself not to say "I love you" within the first 48 hours.
She waited a week. Talk about restraint, right?
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By June 2021, they weren't interested in a massive, televised Nashville wedding. Instead, they hopped in a black Corvette, drove from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and tied the knot at midnight. It was a total secret. They didn't even tell the public for six months, finally dropping the news during the 2021 Christmas season.
The Drama with J.P. Arencibia: Why This Time is Different
You can't really talk about Kimberly's marriage to Johnny without acknowledging the "elephant in the room"—her first marriage. Back in 2014, Kimberly married J.P. Arencibia, who was a catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays at the time. It was a massive, picturesque wedding in Greeneville, Tennessee. Carrie Underwood was there. It looked like a fairytale.
But by 2018, it was over.
The split wasn't exactly quiet. When The Band Perry released the song "The Good Life" in 2019, the lyrics hit like a freight train. Lines about "sidepieces" and "knowing the truth" led everyone to believe there was infidelity involved. J.P. denied it, calling it a PR stunt to sell records. It was messy. It was painful.
When you look at her relationship with Johnny Costello, it feels like the opposite of that high-pressure, stadium-lights romance. It’s "beauty from ashes," as she likes to put it. Johnny seems to be the "secure person" she needed after a very public collapse.
More Than Just a Husband: His Role in The Band Perry 2.0
Here is where things get really wild for the fans. For years, The Band Perry was Kimberly, Reid, and Neil. Three siblings. That was the brand. But as of late 2025 and moving into 2026, the lineup has changed in a way no one saw coming.
- The Hiatus: The siblings took a break in 2023 to do their own things. Kimberly went solo and released Bloom.
- The Reunion: When they decided to come back together recently, the dynamic shifted.
- The New Member: Johnny Costello actually joined the band.
Yeah, you read that right. Johnny replaced Neil Perry as the backing vocalist and multi-instrumentalist (he often handles the mandolin). With Reid Perry moving more toward the management side of the industry, the "family band" now literally includes Kimberly’s husband on stage every night.
Life in 2026: Parenting and "Bus Babies"
If you catch a show during their 2026 tour, keep an eye out for a toddler backstage. Kimberly and Johnny welcomed their first child, a son named Whitaker James Costello (they call him Whit), in August 2023.
Kimberly was 40 when she had him, and she’s been super open about how much she loves being a "geriatric mom"—her words, not mine! They chose the name Whitaker after seeing it on a list of "beautiful boy names" and realized it perfectly honored both their grandfathers (James is a family middle name on both sides).
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Having Johnny in the band isn't just about the music; it’s about keeping the family unit together. They’ve basically turned their tour bus into a rolling nursery. It’s a far cry from the "Better Dig Two" era of dark, moody aesthetic. These days, it’s all about what she calls the "Superbloom"—a season of life where everything is finally growing in the right direction.
Why the Fans are Actually Rooting for Them
Usually, when a spouse joins a famous band, fans get a little protective. We’ve all seen the "Yoko Ono" comments on social media. But with Johnny, the reception has been surprisingly warm. Maybe it’s because country fans saw Kimberly go through the ringer with her divorce. Or maybe it’s because the chemistry on stage is actually genuine.
He doesn't try to outshine her. He’s 6’5” but manages to stay in the pocket, providing that harmony she needs. It feels less like a corporate takeover and more like a guy supporting his wife’s dream.
What You Should Take Away
If you’re looking at Kimberly Perry and Johnny Costello and wondering what the "secret sauce" is, it seems to be alignment. They didn't wait around for permission or a big budget. They did the Vegas thing. They had the "geriatric" baby. They retooled the band.
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Next Steps for the Curious Fan:
- Listen to "If I Die Young Pt. 2": It’s the bridge between her old life and her new one with Johnny.
- Check their 2026 Tour Dates: See the new lineup for yourself. Seeing a husband and wife duo fronting a legacy act like The Band Perry is a rare vibe.
- Follow the "Whit Watch": Kimberly is pretty active on social media sharing the realities of being a touring mom. It’s worth a follow if you want the uncurated version of celebrity life.
Ultimately, Johnny Costello isn't just Kimberly Perry's husband—he’s the partner who helped her rebuild a career that almost hit a dead end. And honestly? The music is better for it.