Lauren Alaina Reflects on Her Roots and Upcoming Album

Country singer Lauren Alaina expresses gratitude for her small-town origins and the valuable lessons they imparted.

In a recent conversation, the 31-year-old artist discussed her forthcoming album, “Stages,” and attributed her achievements and strong work ethic to her upbringing in Rossville, Georgia. “I come from a long line of hardworking people and believers and dreamers in their own way, whatever their path was,” she explained. Her journey has certainly diverged from that of her family; leaving home for new opportunities is not common in Rossville.

Alaina emphasized that growing up in her small town taught her the significance of hard work and the virtues of kindness, gratitude, and humor. “I got my sense of humor from back home for sure,” she noted.

She reflected on one of the most significant lessons she learned, which is to “keep working hard and being kind to people, and if you work hard, it pays off.” Her family, especially her parents and grandparents, served as role models, demonstrating a strong work ethic despite their varied careers. Alaina appreciated these lessons, reinforcing her faith and determination.

As she prepares to release “Stages,” which she describes as “a deeply personal album,” Alaina shares that it encapsulates three distinct phases of her life.

“It feels like it represents me fully because I feel like I finally landed in the place of who I am supposed to be in this stage of my life,” she expressed. Alaina took this opportunity to revisit and share her stories, feeling proud of how the album balanced seriousness with fun, reflecting both her roots and her experiences during her mid-twenties.

However, revisiting certain stages proved challenging, particularly those marked by difficult emotions, like her parents’ divorce and the unexpected loss of her father. Yet, the album also brings brighter memories, such as meeting her husband and the joy of welcoming her daughter.

“I closed the album with a song called ‘Heaven Sent,’ which is about my dad sending my daughter to help me heal and move forward,” she shared. The songs about her father, however, were more challenging to write. “It’s still very hard… it’s the biggest loss I’ve ever gone through,” she admitted, acknowledging the emotional weight of these songs.

Lauren Alaina began her career as a teenager on “American Idol,” competing in its tenth season back in 2011. Looking back, she reflected on her journey and noted that if she could speak to her 15-year-old self, she would express gratitude for the impactful decision she made, which dramatically altered her life. “All the things that you dream of having, you get them,” she said, acknowledging the unexpected twists of her journey but embracing the fulfillment of her aspirations, including her family life.

Now, with “Stages” released, she looks forward to what lies ahead, proud of her story and the music that shares it.