Lauren Alaina, American Idol Runner-Up, Says: 'I Knew Scotty Was Gonna Win'

Lauren Alaina may have lost American Idol Season 10 -- but she still feels like a winner after singing with Carrie Underwood.
"Carrie has been my Idol since she was on this show in Scotty's position," Alaina told reporters in the press room after Wednesday night's show in which Scotty McCreery was crowned the new Idol; a record 122 million votes were cast for the finale. Underwood won Season 5 of the Fox Television hit.

Performing with Underwood "was a dream come true," continued Alaina. "I love Carrie -- she is amazing, I got to sing with her that makes me feel pretty awesome."

What did Underwood whisper in her ear? "She said, 'Wow, that was incredible. We should take that on the road,'" Alaina said.

Now that the show is over -- but the tour has not yet begun -- what are Alaina's plans? "I get to sleep and eat unhealthy food," said the country singer, who dropped 20 pounds while competing. On second thought: "Actually, I'm not gonna do that."

Competing was an eye-opening experience with Alaina. "Every day I learned something new about myself. I learned that I cry a lot. I didn't cry tonight because I was happy," she said. "How could I be unhappy with second place? There's a million people out there that would love to be in my position and I'm blessed."

"Life is a journey and you have to go with each step, stumbles only makes you stronger. I feel like things happen for a reason and God has a plan for me and his plan was to give me second place," she added. (Not hurting the situation either? She'll get a Ford - as the company is a sponsor - as a prize as well. Her choice? "Maybe a GT.")

She had nothing bad to say about the judges, especially Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. "Steven was really nice to me," Alaina told reporters. Alaina also said earlier that night that she was sure McCreery would take the top prize.

"I knew Scotty was gonna win," she said. "I knew in my heart and I accepted it. ... I couldn't pick a more perfect person to get second place to. I know that's cheesy, but he's my best friend."

source:billboard

Lauren Alaina Performs “I Hope You Dance” on the American Idol Final 3 Showdown

Country singer Lauren Alaina performed “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack as her 'Judges Choice' song on the American Idol Season 10 Final 3 Showdown.

"Lauren has collected herself and is singing without incident or mishap! A solid job from Lauren, beautiful tone, nice phrasing. I can’t help imagining what Carrie Underwood or Jordin Sparks would have done with that song.

Jlo: You cannot buy those, those are not for sale. You gave me goosies from head to toe. I’m going to dare say you won that round already.

Randy: Leann would say you slayed it. I love your dress. You sang it great. Ryan this girl is also in it to win it. Steven: You walked down here like you owned the Grand Ole Opry. You sang that song perfectly LOL at Jlo calling the round for Lauren before Haley even sings.

source:mjsblog

Lauren Alaina Sings “If I Die Young” on the Top 3 Showdown

American Idol Season 10's Sweet Young Thang Lauren Alaina sings “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry on the Final 3 Showdown.

Lauren's audition plays, and there she is – the confident kid who had the cajones to vocally spar with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Where’d that kid go? Lauren was 6 years old when first started watching Idol. She wants this more than anything. Jimmy Iovine has wanted her to sing this song since he met her. Jimmy says it’s right in her sweet spot. She begins beautifully, with a gorgeous tone, hitting the high notes with a nice rasp. But she gets distracted in the middle and misses the modulation. Another example of why Lauren should have waited a minute or two before trying out.

Jlo: You have the most beautiful tone of our finalists. A magical thing. You had an honest moment, you got caught up in yourself, in the honesty. That’s ok. You’re only 16. Randy Jackson: You realized right away – that’s what it’s all about. You’ve got such a beautiful tone. A good song choice from Jimmy. You are in it to win it too.

Steven Tyler: I loved it. I heard that turn around. It’s a beautiful song, you’ve got a beautiful voice. You nailed it again. “I missed my key change,” says Lauren. “It’s how you recover,” says Ryan. Mom, from the audience says, “It’s crazy, nerve wracking, and I think I’ve aged 20 years.”

source:mjsblog

Audition


Performance


Judging

American Idol's Lauren Alaina Gets Wild with “Wild One” on the Final 3 Showdown

American Idol Season 10's Southern Sweetie Lauren Alaina gets a little wild with “Wild One” by Faith Hill as her 'Personal Choice' song on the Final 3 Showdown. Tonight the Idols will sing three songs each, and the guest celebrity mentor is Beyonce (who, surprise, surprise, has a new album coming out ~ like everyone else on the show!). "I enjoy Lauren mostly when it's something fun, because I feel like it loosens her up," says Beyonce. Beyonce tells Lauren that's she's nervous on stage too, and that she's "created a character for myself when I perform, because in real life, I'm like (she shivers in fear). Right before I go onstage, I tell myself, "I deserve it. I'm strong. I'm a Diva." And I would encourage you to do the same, cuz it works for me."

Lauren struts out on the stage, channeling her inner Diva. She's looking very confident and happy. Lauren looks great from the neck up, neck down...ouch! (Please, please, please!!! Never tuck leggings into big, white plastic-looking boots. The Oompa-Loompa look is NOT attractive!) Lauren owns the stage, interacting with the musicians and having fun. But, "Wild One" is not a great showcase for Lauren's huge vocals. Her voice is so warm and luminous in many songs. The crowd likes it, but none of the three judges applauded Lauren.

 Jennifer Lopez started the critique with, "Lauren, our little baby. You come out here, and you attack it like that, and that's what you gotta do, cuz at this point everybody's going to come out here and be singing great. So every time we come out, we gotta create a moment. And that's exactly what you gotta do, you gotta attack it like that every single time. That was very good."

 Randy Jackson said, "I love the advice Beyonce was giving you, about how to psych yourself out when you come out, because that's what it takes. I love seeing you having fun. When we first saw you, with you and Steven singing to each other, that fearlessness, that's the thing you gotta have. I think that was a nice song choice for you. And I could that in your heart you were loving it, and had such a connection with it. Have a good time and have fun. When you let yourself go, you're at your best. Very nice."

Steven Tyler purred, "OOOOH Lauren, you were having fun when we met back then, you’re having fun now. I love the way you were singing tonight. You were singing like you owned the song. There was a moment you shined, and it wasn't even the chorus. You’re so ready for this. You’re ready for America to be all over you." (Yuck! The look in his eyes said "I'm so ready to be all over you!" That was....creepy.)

American Idol's Lauren Alaina Performs “Anyway” on the Top 4 Show

Lauren Alaina, American Idol Season 10's Sweet Southern Belle, performs “Anyway” by Martina McBride on the Top 4 Show. Tonight's celebrity guest mentor was the outre Lady Gaga, and the theme for the first round of songs is "Songs that Inspire". "Anyway" is an inspirational song based on a favorite poem of Mother Teresa's, written by Kent Keith, which he originally titled, "The Paradoxical Commandments". The meaning of the song is...no matter what puts you down in life, do not give up, do it anyway. At the 2007 Country Music Association Awards, "Anyway" was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards.

Lauren looks gorgeous! She took the advice Sheryl Crow gave her last week (which she disregarded then), and stood at the mic and just sang. And drew the audience to her with her luminous singing! Amazing, beautiful performance. Her emotions shined through, and Lauren's leaving her past insecurities behind and breaking out of her shell! Perfection. The crowd and all three judges loved it! Steven Tyler, a Lauren groupie, raved, "Lauren, you did it again. You broke my heart. That was the most beautiful thing. Your voice is so pure and perfect, and right on pitch. You deliver a song like a blue plate special. And I'm in love with the buckles on your shoes. And I love that dress. You’re the whole package. I love you."

Jennifer Lopez praised, "That was very good, Baby. I’m so proud of you. I really do feel like you’re listening to what we are telling you. Everything we're telling you is to help you get into the final. That was exactly what we’re talking about. That was exactly what you have to do. It was a great, great vocal performance."

Randy Jackson added, "Last week I was a little worried. But what you just did right there...the Lauren that we all grew to love, the Lauren that we met the first time we met you...America, Lauren is BACK IN IT TO WIN IT! Yo, that was hot. That was everything! You know was was wrong with that? Absolutely nothing! That was amazing. And a great time to do it."

"That song means so much to me. Any person who's ever had anything bad in their life can relate to that song. It's so inspirational," Lauren told Ryan Seacrest.