Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina Kristine Suddeth (born November 8, 1994) is an American singer and songwriter from Rossville, Georgia. She was the runner-up on the tenth season of American Idol. Her debut studio album, Wildflower, was released on October 11, 2011. Her second album, Road Less Traveled, was released January 27, 2017. Alaina later achieved her first number one on the Country Airplay chart with the album's title track. Her second number one came later that year when she simultaneously topped five Billboard charts with her friend and former classmate Kane Brown on their duet "What Ifs". In addition to this song with Brown, Alaina became an in-demand duet vocalist throughout the next few years, appearing on number one collaborations with Hardy, Devin Dawson, and Dustin Lynch. Her third studio album, Sitting Pretty on Top of the World, was released on September 3, 2021.
Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina Kristine Suddeth
November 8, 1994
Rossville, Georgia, U.S.
- Singer
- songwriter
Vocals
2011–present
Alaina was a contestant on the twenty-eighth season of Dancing with the Stars and placed fourth with her partner Gleb Savchenko. She is a two-time CMT Music Award winner, has received one Academy of Country Music Award, and is a two-time Country Music Association Award nominee. Alaina achieved one of country music's crowning achievements when she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 12, 2022, inducted by her childhood hero Trisha Yearwood. She is currently the youngest member of the Opry.
Early life[edit]
Alaina was born on November 8, 1994, to Kristy and J. J. Suddeth of Rossville, Georgia. Her father works as a process technician in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[1]
Alaina started to sing at the age of 3. Her first public performances followed with a kids choir and an annual vacation spot that offered karaoke. She sang in church, restaurants, family holiday gatherings and anywhere within a 30-mile radius of where she lived.[2]
At age 8, Alaina entered the talent competition of the Southern Stars Pageant and won. The next year she was selected to perform on the Kids talent stage at Chattanooga's Riverbend Festival. She performed on that stage annually until age 12, when she won the competition that allowed her to perform on the festival's big stage. She traveled to Orlando, Florida, when she was ten to compete in the American Model and Talent Competition. She won the event, beating out 1,500 kids. Alaina sang with the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association's children's group. At age 12, Alaina made her first of many trips to Nashville. She performed at local bars on Broadway, such as Tootsie's.[2] In 2009, Alaina was the first winner of the WinniSTAR youth talent contest at Lake Winnepesaukah amusement park.[3] In addition to performing, Alaina wrote several songs including "Leaving" and "Set Me Free".
Alaina was inspired to sing by her cousin, Holly Witherow, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.[4] Prior to Idol, Alaina worked at CiCi's Pizza.[3] She attended Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where she was a cheerleader.[5][6]
Before auditioning for Idol, she was rejected on America's Got Talent twice.[7]
American Idol[edit]
Overview[edit]
Alaina auditioned for the tenth season of American Idol in Nashville, Tennessee. From early on, Alaina was a judge favorite. After her audition, Idol judge Steven Tyler stated, "We found the one." May 14, 2011, was proclaimed "Lauren Alaina Day" in her hometown of Rossville, Georgia. During the season finale, Alaina sang "Before He Cheats" with her idol, Carrie Underwood. On May 25, 2011, Alaina was declared the runner-up.
Other ventures[edit]
In September and October 2016, Alaina filmed her very first movie The Road Less Traveled, which took place in Knoxville, Tennessee.[76] The film was released on June 6, 2017.[77][78] It then premiered on CMT on November 10, 2017.[79]
In August 2019, Alaina was announced as one of the celebrities to compete on season 28 of Dancing with the Stars.[80] She made it to the finals and finished in fourth place.[81]
In 2020, Alaina was named a brand ambassador for Flight by Yuengling, a premium light beer.[82]
In 2021, she became a brand ambassador for Maurices, an American women's clothing retail chain.[83]
In 2021, Alaina starred in the film, Roadhouse Romance, which premiered on September 11, 2021.[84]
She was a contestant on Beyond the Edge, a survival competition series that premiered in March 2022. She tore her ligament, ending her time on the show, later admitting that her exit was the right call.[85]
Personal life[edit]
Alaina's parents divorced in 2013. Her father is a recovering alcoholic and has been sober since October 2013. Both her parents remarried.[86]
Throughout her teen years, Alaina struggled with bulimia.[87] She said in a 2016 Rolling Stone interview, "I had an eating disorder for like four years, and I was just lost" and "I found myself in these last few years, through music and family and good people around me."[88][89]
Alaina is a Christian and often states that she lives for Jesus Christ.[90]
In 2012, Alaina began dating Alexander Hopkins.[91] In July 2018, the couple announced that they had become engaged.[92] In January 2019, they announced that they had split after six years.[93] She was in a relationship with comedian John Crist for several months in 2019.[94] In November 2022, she announced her engagement to Cam Arnold.[95] The couple married on February 4, 2024.[96]
Studio albums