FRI PT 2: Lauren Alaina On Becoming A New Mom + She's Tired Posting About Her Exes + 15 Years Since American Idol

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show – FRI PT 2: Lauren Alaina On Becoming A New Mom + She’s Tired Posting About Her Exes + 15 Years Since American Idol

Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Bobby Bones (Premiere Networks)
Guest: Lauren Alaina

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on country artist Lauren Alaina’s life changes: becoming a new mom, reflecting on her career 15 years after American Idol, navigating music about exes while happily married, and touring with big country legends. Lauren and Bobby, joined by Bobby’s wife and others, dig into parenthood, music industry anecdotes, balancing identity as an artist and mom, and memorable behind-the-scenes moments.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Adjusting to New Motherhood

• Lauren’s candid reflections on learning the ropes, mistakes, joys, and how her priorities/closeness to her husband have shifted.

  “Life has changed and yours is about to.” – Lauren (02:21)

• New Mom Questions: Bobby’s wife sought advice, revealing the anxieties and realities for first-time parents.

  • Swaddling mishaps, rolling over surprises, “your baby just sleeps a lot at first.”
  • “Do not be embarrassed to ask me any new mom questions because I have done so many things wrong.” – Lauren (02:29)

• Touring While Pregnant:

  • Lauren took the Rascal Flatts tour not knowing she was pregnant. She toured into her eighth month.

  “I was eight and a half months pregnant by the end of that tour... I think people in the crowd may have actually been nervous.” – Lauren (04:04)

  • Did she worry about going into labor on the road?

    “I did start to get nervous a little bit... I was 11 days past my due date.” – Lauren (04:20)

Memorable Quote:

“When they hand you that baby, your whole life changes. My favorite part is the way she looks at me. I’ve never had someone look at me like that.” – Lauren (05:30)

Timestamps:

• Lauren’s motherhood lessons: 02:26–03:15
• Touring pregnant stories: 03:15–05:18
• On motherhood joy: 05:30–06:19

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2. Family, Choosing a Name, and Grief

• Baby Naming Process: Lauren and her husband, Cameron, wanted a family name (“Benny Doll,” after her grandfather and his aunt).
  • They struggled with spelling and worried about giving a “boy” name to a girl.
  • A poignant twist: The spelling “Beni” means “crimson” in Japanese, coincidentally nodding to Lauren’s late father’s love for Alabama football.

  “When he came back [from the bathroom], I was hysterically sobbing… My husband went to Auburn, so he hates Alabama with a passion, but he loved me and my dad more.” – Lauren (10:46)

• Grief and New Beginnings:
  • Lauren’s father’s passing (July 2024) coincided with finding out about her pregnancy, fueling an emotional year of goodbyes and new life.

Timestamps:

• Name story: 07:27–11:32
• Spelling discovery and meaning: 10:45–11:32

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3. Balancing Identity – Motherhood vs. Being an Artist

• Shift in priorities:
  • Lauren embraces her new identity as a mom but doesn’t feel it overshadows her artistry—she finds relief in having a purpose beyond her career.

  “Before, I was my favorite thing to talk about, but… I would rather talk about her.” – Lauren (12:20)

  • Anxiety over “all about me” as a public figure has eased; her daughter is now the “center of my world.”
  • “Now I have something more important, and it’s her. She has freed me up a little bit in making it the only thing, my only purpose.” – Lauren (13:37)

Timestamps:

• Identity conversation: 12:20–13:51

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4. Musical Life with a Baby

• Kids’ music? Lauren improvises songs for her daughter, discovering she “invented” a version of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” with different lyrics.
• Starting piano sessions with baby Benny; laughing at how lullabies blend with country melodies.

Timestamps:

• Baby music talk: 13:51–14:56

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5. Navigating a Hit Song About Exes

• Song “All My Exes” with Chase Matthew – Despite happily marrying Cameron, Lauren continues promoting a song about ex-flames.

  • It was Cameron’s favorite—he even played it for Chase, kicking off the duet collaboration.

  “I'm very tired of posting about my exes, but I've got to promote this song.” – Lauren (18:22)

  • Lauren is grateful it’s a hit, joking, “I have a baby to feed.”

• Cameron’s Security:

  “If I wanted one of those exes, I'd be with him. But I chose him and we have a great marriage.” – Lauren (18:22)

  • “Cameron's like, whatever pays the bills, let's do it.” – Lauren (19:12)

Timestamps:

• “All My Exes” and husband reactions: 17:26–19:14

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6. On the Road: Touring with Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, and More

• Touring with Legends: Lauren’s awe at sharing stages with Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, and reminiscing about the endless string of hits.
  • Singing “My Wish” with Rascal Flatts takes on new meaning after motherhood.

  “I feel certain it had to be a parent writing the song for a child—had to be.” – Lauren (20:01)

• Greatest Rascal Flatts Song Debate: “My Wish,” “God Bless the Broken Road,” “What Hurts the Most,” “Fast Cars and Freedom”
• Funny Fan Misunderstandings: People think Gary LeVox is “Mr. Rascal,” and Lauren’s family’s mistaken for the “Elena family.”

Timestamps:

• Touring/Flatts: 19:16–22:37
• Song debate & fan confusion: 21:25–23:24

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7. Reflecting on American Idol – 15 Years Later

• Lauren is grateful—no resentment for how Idol launched her career.

  “I’m very grateful for it. I would go back and do whatever they asked me to do.” – Lauren (23:40)

• Emotional seeing her 15-year-old self in old clips; in awe of teenage confidence and the path she’s traveled since.
• Auditioned at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium; career went from local to national overnight.

Timestamps:

• Idol reflections: 23:30–24:51

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8. Dancing With the Stars & Other Reality Shows

• Lauren competed on Dancing With the Stars (inspired by Bobby) and another adventure reality show in Panama.
  • “Dancing” was physically and mentally grueling (“I kind of wish I’d had a baby and then done it because I was in the best shape…”)
• Participated in “Beyond the Edge,” a survival show, and was eliminated after an injury despite otherwise dominating.
  • Craig Morgan was a fellow contestant—he “could live anywhere.”

Timestamps:

• Dancing With the Stars talk: 25:00–25:56
• Survivor/Beyond the Edge: 26:07–27:49

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9. Festivals, Touring Life, and Family Support

• Lauren speaking/singing at upcoming iHeartCountry Festival (May 2, Moody Center, Austin) with Chase Matthew.
• Reminiscing about first tours at 16; her mother traveled as her legal guardian.
  • Now, with her own daughter, Lauren has apologized to her mom for her own teen attitude.

Timestamps:

• Upcoming festival: 28:00–29:19
• Early tours/family dynamics: 29:20–29:53

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “But when they hand you that baby, your whole life changes.” – Lauren Alaina (05:30)
• “We named her Benny, which you know, is a boy name. So a lot of people are coming at us for that, but they can get over it.” – Lauren Alaina (07:56)
• “If I wanted one of those exes, I’d be with him… I chose [my husband].” – Lauren Alaina (18:22)
• “I’m very tired of posting about my exes, but I’ve got to promote this song.” – Lauren Alaina (18:22)
• “I’m very grateful for it. I would go back and do whatever they asked me to do. I love the show.” – Lauren, on American Idol (23:40)
• "I have apologized 1,500 times to [my mom] for every time I was ever a smart aleck. Now that I have my own daughter…” – Lauren Alaina (29:41)

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Episode Flow Overview (with Timestamps)

• 02:13–06:19: Parenthood, new mom lessons, funniest moments, and naming her baby
• 07:27–11:32: Family significance of naming, and a touching coincidence connecting her baby’s name to her late father
• 12:20–14:56: Shifts in identity, making up baby songs, balancing life as mom and artist
• 17:26–19:14: “All My Exes,” husband’s support, and the realities of promoting a song about past relationships
• 19:16–23:24: Life touring with legends, favorite Rascal Flatts songs, and fan confusion about band names
• 23:30–24:51: Reflections on 15 years since American Idol, seeing old videos, growth and gratitude
• 25:00–27:49: Reality TV, survivor-style show injuries, and camaraderie with Craig Morgan
• 28:00–29:53: Upcoming festival, memories from teenage touring, and new appreciation for her own mother

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Final Thoughts

Lauren Alaina offers a heartfelt, humorous, and honest look at the collision of fame, family, and personal growth. Her candor about motherhood, grief, the music business, and self-discovery makes for a compelling listen for both fans and those just discovering her journey.

Transcript

[Lauren Alaina]

This is an iHeart podcast guaranteed human.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Tonight, kick off the Winter Olympics in style with the opening ceremony from Italy featuring a special performance by Mariah Carey. Celebrate the greatest athletes from around the globe as they come together to go for gold. Lipsy for sensational the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

[Lauren Alaina]

Ilya Malin redefining this sport tonight at.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

8 Eastern, 7 Central Central on NBC. And Peacock.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm Bobby Bones from the Bobby Bones Show. Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or if you're just thinking about getting started, check out season four of Mind the Business. Small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Intuit QuickBooks. In this latest season, hosts Austin Hankwitz and Janice Torres are talking to self starters about the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and how QuickBooks helps you get more done in less time. You won't want to miss it. Listen to Mind the Business small business success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Between work, family and everything else, cancer screenings can get put off. But screening is an important way to take control of your health for the people who count on you. Over the years, we've heard from listeners sharing cancer diagnosis stories of loved ones affected, and how early detection made a difference. Detecting cancer early is crucial. Every screening matters, and Pfizer's making it easy to take the first step. Schedule your [e-mail] Screenings sponsored by Pfizer.

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[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Lauren.

[Lauren Alaina]

Elena.

[Bobby Bones]

Hey, Lauren. Good to see you.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Hey.

[Lauren Alaina]

How are you?

[Bobby Bones]

How you been?

[Lauren Alaina]

I'm, you know, busy. Good. Raising a baby.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Lauren Alaina]

So life has changed and yours is about to.

[Bobby Bones]

I know, I know. You've been talking to my wife a little bit, too.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yes, I have.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Lauren Alaina]

She's been asking me, where do you put the baby?

[Bobby Bones]

That's what she said. She said she asked you when you get home with the baby, what do you do with it?

[Lauren Alaina]

Where do you put it? I'm like, for the first few months, they just sleep a lot, so just find something cozy. But I told her, do not be embarrassed to ask me any new mom questions because I have done so many things wrong, because I haven't. I mean, not wrong to the point where it can't be fixed, but, like, I definitely swaddled the baby longer than I was supposed to swaddle her because she had started rolling over. And I didn't know that. Like, you just things I didn't know. Oh, you mean any question you have that you don't know, ask me.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, longer in the lifespan. Not at a time.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yes, not at a time. Got it. I don't really know if there's a rule about that. I hope not. I mean, you swaddle them when they sleep.

[Bobby Bones]

I was looking at your social media and you had posted like a throwback to when you were touring with Rascal Flats the last time, which was pretty recent. But you were very pregnant.

[Lauren Alaina]

Very.

[Bobby Bones]

Is that hard to sing?

[Lauren Alaina]

You know, I didn't really notice it at the time, I think because it was such a surprise that I was pregnant. I had taken the tour and then found out I was pregnant, and it was a big surprise. And so I just knew I had to do it. So I don't know that I realized how hard it was until now that I'm singing, I'm like, this is not. This is much easier not having a, you know, seven pound baby between my ribs.

[Bobby Bones]

I saw a TikTok and by. I saw it, my wife sent it to me. And it shows when you have a baby inside of you, how all your organs get pushed up. And I was just thinking about you singing when all your organs are shoved up because you got to make room for the baby.

[Lauren Alaina]

I know, I don't. Yeah, I don't know how I did that, but, I mean, a lot of us do it. But I was eight and a half months pregnant by the end of that tour, so I was like potentially having the baby at that point.

[Bobby Bones]

Do you think maybe when you're on the road and you're eight and a half months pregnant, it could happen anywhere, whatever town you're in.

[Lauren Alaina]

I did start to get nervous a little bit. Yeah, I was like, this seems really close. Was I eight and a half months? I was close. I was very close. I was close enough that I think people in the crowd may have actually been nervous that I was there. But all was well. She decided to come, you know, 11 days late. So, yeah, I was 11 days past my due date.

[Bobby Bones]

So were you just every day? Like, come on. Like, come on.

[Lauren Alaina]

I did everything.

[Bobby Bones]

Come on.

[Lauren Alaina]

I did all the things. Like, you can do spicy food, curb walking. What, Pineapple walking? Yeah. So it's like, you don't know about curb walking? Well, when she gets close, if she's curbing, you'll be seeing her. You work, you walk, like, on a curb, and you put one foot up top and one foot on the bottom. And it's supposed to do something like, your hips. I don't really know. To help, like, dilate your cervix.

[Bobby Bones]

Did anything actually help?

[Lauren Alaina]

No, no.

[Bobby Bones]

It just.

[Lauren Alaina]

Whenever we had to make an evacuation plan.

[Bobby Bones]

Huh.

[Lauren Alaina]

She did not come. We could not get her to come on her own.

[Bobby Bones]

That's crazy.

[Lauren Alaina]

I mean, I was like. I was talking to her. I was like, it's a really cool place out here. It's really. We really like you to get out.

[Bobby Bones]

But has it been. What's been the best part about it?

[Lauren Alaina]

Oh, my gosh. It is the best thing that's ever happened to me. And everyone says that, but until you. And you'll. You're. Soon you will know when they hand you that baby, your whole life changes. I. I guess my favorite part is the way she looks at me. I've never had someone look at me like that. Like, just. She completely. Oh, it's making me emotional. Go figure. But just she's completely dependent on me. And what a gift that I get to be the one that can nurture her and take care of her. And then my second favorite is probably watching my husband with her. I love him so much more. And I already loved him, but watching him father her is pretty special.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Bobby, that's a good sign for you.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

What, that my wife already loves me.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

She already loves you, but she's about to find you even more attractive.

[Bobby Bones]

If I do a good job.

[Lauren Alaina]

It is crazy.

[Bobby Bones]

If I do a good job.

[Lauren Alaina]

Tbd, you're gonna.

[Bobby Bones]

Who knows?

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Kind of things. Have you seen your husband do where you're like, okay, wow, this is crazy. Like, is it just him holding her?

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah. He has a dance party with her every day when he gets home from work. So he will turn the music on in the living room and picks her up and they dance. And now she. It's almost like she's eight months old. It's almost like she expects the dance party. Just the way he interacts with her. I don't know, because when she was really little, he was a little scared of her. I think when they're first born, everybody's a little scared of them.

[Bobby Bones]

You don't want to break it, hurt it.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah, they're so little, but they're very resilient. I mean, you, your wife will, she's. The baby's gonna be great. But just the, just the way he talks to her and the way he interacts with her, I've just never seen that side of him. And it's so sweet.

[Bobby Bones]

How hard was it coming up with a name?

[Lauren Alaina]

We went back and forth for a while. I am a woman and I don't know if this is true of all women, but I had like 15 names written down since I was probably 13 years old. But we wanted to do family names for sure. So her first name, she's named after my grandfather and his aunt. But we, we had a couple different names and then the story behind her name is actually sweet. You want me tell it?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I'd love to hear it.

[Lauren Alaina]

So we named her Benny, which you know, is a boy name. So a lot of people are coming at us for that, but they can get over it. But my grandfather Benny helped raise me. My parents were really young, so I spent a lot of time at my grandparents house and he taught me to play basketball and all these things. So I was just really close with him. And a few years ago I saw a girl on Instagram named Benny and I thought that was super cute so I just wrote it down. And then her middle name is Doll, like baby doll. My husband had an aunt, Lucy. Lucy Doll Arnold was her name and she never had children. He was very close with her growing up. She actually just passed away right before her 102nd birthday.

[Bobby Bones]

She lived in 101?

[Lauren Alaina]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

101.9.

[Lauren Alaina]

101.9.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Wow.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah. And we, she passed away a few days after Christmas and we took Benny to meet her on Christmas Day and she passed away like three or four days later. So we were so thankful that we stopped by. She lived in Atlanta and on our way down to see the rest of the family, we stopped there. But anyway, those are the, the people that we named her after. But when we were trying to decide how to spell Benny because obviously it is traditionally a male name. And that was the first time I realized that Cameron was going to be a really good dad because he was like, well, we can't spell it like your grandfather spelled it because it's already. I don't want people to make fun of her. And I'm like, we have a little bit of a chance for people to make Fun of her with the name Benny. He was like, it more girly for her. And it was the first time I was like, he was protecting her already. It was really weird and sweet. And we were at dinner at J. Alexander on Whitebridge, I'll never forget. And we're super rich, fancy. And we were talking about how to spell it. And so I was just looking up different ways to spell her name. And my dad passed away in July of 2024, and we found out we were pregnant with her in September. So that was a crazy year. We got married in February, and then dad passed in July. And then we found out we were pregnant in September, very unexpectedly. So it was like all of these emotions. And I was so sad that dad, you know, wasn't going to be a part of any of it. And my dad was, you'll love this because you're a big Arkansas fan, but my dad was a huge Alabama fan. And when we looked up the girl that I actually saw named Benny years ago spelled it B, E, N, I. And so I told Cameron at dinner, I was like, this is how the girl that I got the idea from spelled it. And he said, I love that. Let's do that. And I was kind of like, I don't know. And I looked it up, and in Japanese, that spelling of Benny means crimson. And it was no way. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Wow.

[Lauren Alaina]

And we were at dinner and he had actually gone to the bathroom, and I was looking it up, and when he came back, I was hysterically sobbing at, you know, pregnant. And he was like, what's going on? And I showed it to him. And this is really funny. My husband went to Auburn, so he hates Alabama with a passion. And I showed him the meaning of Benny with that spelling. And he said, well, there you go. Your dad told us how to spell it. So that was a really good moment for us because I know he hates Alabama, but he loved. Loves me and my dad more. And so that's. That was like confirmation for us, too, because we were in the phase then, too, that we weren't even a hundred percent sure we were going to name her Benny. That was just kind of our number one name for her at the time.

[Bobby Bones]

And when did you know. Was it after you saw her that you were sure this is a name now?

[Lauren Alaina]

Well, people. We told people that we thought we were gonna name her that, and then they started monogramming things for us and we felt like, yeah, I guess that's her name.

[Bobby Bones]

Or it's a middle name. Yeah.

[Lauren Alaina]

Putting her name on everything. Yeah. Nickname we're either her. This or throwing away all of the.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Blankets, or you just keep it later in life. She's like, why do I have all this Benny stuff? You're like, well, we were gonna name you.

[Lauren Alaina]

We were gonna name you Benny, but you didn't look like Benny.

[Bobby Bones]

You take her to Benihana every week her whole life, just so it kind of matches. Oh, you love Benihana since you were a baby. So people started getting you blankets. Do you feel at all like you, like, have. You feel like you've lost any of your identity? Like, people only want to talk about the baby now?

[Lauren Alaina]

Some. Yeah. But she is my favorite thing to talk about. Before, I was my favorite thing to.

[Bobby Bones]

Talk about, but now, well, that's kind of all of our jobs, right? Like, we're our own brand. We constantly got to be like, this is what we're doing. This is how we're doing it. But now you have something else. I hope that, to me, it allows a perspective shift in me.

[Lauren Alaina]

It has for me.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Will you tell me about that?

[Lauren Alaina]

I just would. I would rather talk about her. It's really interesting. I think I. People asking me about her is no problem because she is the center of my world. And honestly, it has opened me up a lot with anxiety and stuff about all of the. All of my. My job in general, because my job is me. You know, my. The brand is me. So I'm constantly thinking about.

[Bobby Bones]

Me.

[Lauren Alaina]

You know, I mean, that sounds crazy, but it's true. And now I have something more important, and it's her. So I don't mind talking about her. I love talking about her. And, yeah, I've always loved my career so much, and that's. It has been my identity, but now she is my identity. And this is still so important to me, and I love it, and I want to do it until, you know, I've made enough money to retire. I'm kidding.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Until you're 101.9?

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah, until I'm 101.9. Like, I will never stop singing, but she has freed me up a little bit in making it the only thing, my only purpose. And that's really cool. That's a cool thing to have. I'm thankful to have that.

[Bobby Bones]

Are you doing any kids music? Not you singing it? Are you listening to a lot of it? And then. Are you judging it?

[Lauren Alaina]

Not yet. I pretty much make up songs for her and sing them, but she has just. I've started playing piano for her in the last couple of weeks, and she's like, obsessed with the piano and he plays her a lot of music. You know, I don't, I have not fallen into the children music yet, but it's coming. But I sing her a lot of like the Itsy Bitsy Spider and I made up a song and then realized I didn't make up the song at all. I just, I literally made it up around Christmas time and I guess I had heard Grandma got ran over by a reindeer, so I sing her that every day. Except it's Benny, Benny, Benny, Benny, Benny doll, Same melody. You're my punky, punky punky pie. You're my best friend, you' you're the apple, apple, apple of my eye. And then one day Cameron was singing Grandma got ran over by a reindeer and I was like, they stole my song. You ripped my song off. Wait, I ripped their song off.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Tonight, kick off the Winter Olympics in style with the opening ceremony from Italy featuring a special performance by Mariah Carey. Celebrate the greatest athletes from around the globe as they come from together to go for gold. The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

[Lauren Alaina]

Ilia Malinin redefining the sport tonight at.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

8 Eastern, 7 Central on NBC and.

[Bobby Bones]

Peacock between work, family and everything else, cancer screenings can get put off. But screening is an important way to take control of your health for the people who count on you. Over the years, we've heard from listeners sharing cancer diagnosis stories of loved ones affected and how early detection made a difference. Detecting cancer early is crucial. Every screening matters and Pfizer's making it easy to take the first step. Schedule your [e-mail] Screenings sponsored by Pfizer.

[Public Investing Advertiser]

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[iHeartRadio Event Announcer]

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[Bobby Bones]

I was watching you talk about your new song, the Edible Chase Matthew, and it's about your exes. All my exes. Is that weird for your husband to have you still talking about your exes?

[Lauren Alaina]

You know, I would think so. But Cameron is the reason that we even put this song out. I wrote it a couple years ago and he really loved it and we signed with Big Loud and we were putting out, you know, a very country record and this one is the least country of all the stuff that we had cut. But Cameron loved this song. He thought it was a hit and to the point that when we were on tour with Aldean and Chase Matthew, he played it for Chase and that is how the duet even came about. I had nothing to do with it, but he played it for Chase. He played it for Chase and then told Chase to act like he didn't. And and Cameron talked me into playing it. Chase had committed to doing the song before he ever even heard it from me. Because of my husband.

[Bobby Bones]

Because your husband played it for us. That's cool.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah. So he's very secure in our relationship. I if I wanted one of those exes, I'd be with him. Well, I don't know if they'd want me, but you know what I'm saying, I chose him and we have a. We have a great marriage. So I think it bothers him less than it probably bothers me. I'm very tired of posting about my exes, but I've got to promote this song. So I'm like constantly trying to think of ways to do this. I mean, I've even gotten the baby in the tiktoks at this point. I don't know what to do because we the song's doing really well and I'm super grateful for that but it is kind of a funny season of my life to be posting this song about all my exes. But it's the one that really caught on for us, and I'm so grateful for that because I do have a baby to feed. So we're gonna continue to talk about those exes until we don't have to anymore.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

He's like, it's fine. We can talk about it.

[Lauren Alaina]

Cameron's like, whatever pays the bills, let's do it.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

That's right.

[Bobby Bones]

What's it like to tour with the Flats guys? Rascal Flats.

[Lauren Alaina]

They are so fun. You know, I've been on a couple of tours like that where I toured with Alan Jackson and I toured with. I've toured with a lot of people who have these huge careers that you don't get to tour with a ton because they don't tour as much. And to be on a tour with someone like that and to hear the hit after hit after hit after hit, it's just crazy. I mean, it's 90 minutes of nothing but hits. They don't have one song that they just kind of throw in there, you know?

[Bobby Bones]

What is the greatest Rascal Flats song? Let's debate this in the room. I think the easy answer doesn't matter. You say yours first.

[Lauren Alaina]

My personal favorite.

[Bobby Bones]

Just do that.

[Lauren Alaina]

There's so many good ones. I mean, I get to come out on the tour and sing. I would say currently, right now. Which I may have had a different answer before I had my daughter, but is my wish. I'm singing it with them on the tour and it literally sounds. I don't know anything about the origin story of this song, but I feel certain it had to be A parent writing the song for a child had to be.

[Bobby Bones]

Because my wish for you, I don't.

[Lauren Alaina]

Know the rest of it is that this life becomes all that you want. Until your dreams stay big, you worry, stay small. You never need to carry more than you can hold. While you're out there getting where you're getting to Hope you know, somebody loves you and wants the same things too.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, that sounds like a parent.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Yeah, it has to be. Because at my wedding, that was the dance between, well, my ex husband now and his mom. That was the mother, the mother, the mother, son, mother, son dance. And she picked it as. Like her as the mom. What she wanted for him.

[Lauren Alaina]

It had. It had to be. Yeah, the verses too. I mean.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, it does sound romantic.

[Lauren Alaina]

It's not super romantic. I mean, I don't know for sure.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

I hope not.

[Bobby Bones]

Unless it's like Bill Belichick and his girl. That's the only way. That's like, he's way older. It's like, my wish. Greatest Rascal Flat song.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

God Bless Broken Road. I mean, I know that's probably obvious.

[Bobby Bones]

But that was gonna be. I love that song.

[Lauren Alaina]

I love it. I mean, it is an iconic song.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

I mean, speaking of weddings, how many people have walked down the aisle to that?

[Bobby Bones]

I think my favorite is what Hurts the Most.

[Lauren Alaina]

Oh, gosh.

[Radhi Deblokia]

Yes.

[Lauren Alaina]

And then when he goes, he's being so close. Oh. Every night on tour, people are like, it's crazy. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

They. He performed at our wedding, and he did Fast Cars and Freedom.

[Lauren Alaina]

Okay. Famous.

[Bobby Bones]

I know.

[Lauren Alaina]

Flex Jay Alexander. I don't remember you calling it. I made to sing it the way I was casual.

[Bobby Bones]

I wasn't a big Fast Cars and Freedom guy. But now when I hear that song, I love it because he's saying that he sang that and God Bless the Broken Road at our wedding. Cause that's a wedding song.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Bobby's like, speaking of weddings, but that's called Freedom.

[Lauren Alaina]

What's so great about your wedding? That the mother.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

That dj, played it, by the way.

[Lauren Alaina]

Gary levog sang it, by the way.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

That's right.

[Lauren Alaina]

That's right.

[Bobby Bones]

It's good.

[Lauren Alaina]

You know, it's so funny. People think his name is Rascal.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

No, they don't.

[Bobby Bones]

Mr. Rascal.

[Lauren Alaina]

People come up to me in the meet and greet and be like, I saw that video of you and Rascal. Because I've posted a bunch. I posted a bunch with Gary and, like, people think his name is Rascal. Just like, random people. That's funny.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Really interesting.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, Lady A. You know, Lady Annabella. I'm like, that. That's weird.

[Lauren Alaina]

I wonder if people.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

They think she's.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, she's. Are you Annabella? She's eight and she's it. Yeah.

[Lauren Alaina]

I like. Those are.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Those people must just be, like, half paying attention to life.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Well, I think they're just listening to songs as they come.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Yeah, that's what we're, like, not totally dialed in.

[Lauren Alaina]

Elena is my middle name. And so when I went on American Idol, everyone thought my. We were the Elena family. So my brother's name on Twitter and everything for a while was Tyler Elena. And that's literally, like, not his name at all. He's a good sport. But, yeah, everyone thought we. I was like, my name was Lauren Elena, which is legit.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Your last name's not Elena?

[Lauren Alaina]

Nope, it's my middle name.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

I'm just learning this.

[Bobby Bones]

Her last Name is Rascal. Lauren Rascal. Crazy Idol. Still killing, huh?

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

After all these years.

[Lauren Alaina]

Insane.

[Bobby Bones]

American Idol is still. Do you go back every few years? Yeah, like every once in a while. Because you're not a somebody who like resents it at all.

[Lauren Alaina]

No, no, I've never have. I'm, I'm very grateful for it. I mean, I would go back and do whatever they asked me to do. I love the show, so that's cool.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

I saw your post from like the other day when you were like, it's been officially 15 years since I was on TV for American Idol. And I was like, oh my gosh.

[Lauren Alaina]

I saw that clip.

[Bobby Bones]

It was you coming out.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

And it was all these flashback clips of you.

[Radhi Deblokia]

It was so cute.

[Bobby Bones]

What do you think when you see that really young Lauren Rascal up there?

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah, it's. I am so thankful for that girl. How the heck that 15 year old little girl walked in there, the confidence to do that. When I see 15 year olds now I have, you know, family members who, they're my first cousin's children are like that age and I'm like, that's when my career started. How did I even think talk my parents into driving me up to the Bridgestone and standing in that long line?

[Bobby Bones]

And you auditioned here in Nashville?

[Lauren Alaina]

I did, yeah. My official audition in front of the judges was at the Ryman, so my whole career started there.

[Bobby Bones]

That's crazy. How long was the drive up? A couple hours.

[Lauren Alaina]

I'm from right outside of Chattanooga, so it's not too far. Yeah, about two and two and a half hours.

[Bobby Bones]

Feels like forever, but probably yesterday at the same time.

[Lauren Alaina]

It is the wildest thing. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I saw the clip. That show still crushing. Dancing with the Stars is crushing like crazy.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yes, it's crazy.

[Bobby Bones]

Those two shows have lasted our whole life, basically.

[Lauren Alaina]

Dancing with the Stars is a hard show.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Lauren Alaina]

That is crazy.

[Bobby Bones]

It's terribly difficult.

[Lauren Alaina]

You're the whole reason I did that show.

[Bobby Bones]

But it's. You're also way better than I was. But yeah, it's really hard.

[Lauren Alaina]

Well, you won't. Yeah, the champion.

[Bobby Bones]

But it's hard. It's really hard, right? Yes, it's very hard mentally, it's.

[Lauren Alaina]

I know. I kind of wish I'd had a baby and then done it because I was in the best shape of my life. It would be that. But I couldn't do it anymore with a child. There's no way of that schedule.

[Bobby Bones]

The eating thing was hard because you would train and you'd order food while you were eating. And then you really get to eat all the food. So not only you're training your face off, you know, for hours and hours, you're only eating a little bit.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah. It's crazy. The schedule is wild, but I had so much fun. I'm so glad I did it. I'm so glad you got me to do that.

[Bobby Bones]

Would you ever go back if they were like, hey, we're doing like an All Stars?

[Lauren Alaina]

I don't know that I could because I didn't win.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, sometimes, like Survivor, they don't pick just winners. Right. Lunchbox. They pick, like, good people. Like, people.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Just people that are memorable and are good game players or evoke emotion.

[Lauren Alaina]

I would. I would.

[Bobby Bones]

Would you ever do, like a Survivor? You have to be away from your baby, though, is the problem.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah, I don't know. See, I did. I did a show kind of like Survivor.

[Bobby Bones]

You did?

[Lauren Alaina]

I did.

[Bobby Bones]

What?

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

But, like, did it air?

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

What was it?

[Lauren Alaina]

I got hurt on it. It was called. What was it called? Is it that military one? Yeah, it was the Beyond. Beyond the Edge. No, it wasn't that one. I would do that one, too. That one's gnarly, though. That one looks scary, but I lived outside in the Panamanian jungle and had to build a hut and do all these things. Y' all don't know about this.

[Bobby Bones]

Are you sure that it was on something or just cps, I think, messing with you? That's what they told her.

[Lauren Alaina]

Did I dream this? No, I definitely was, but I was doing one of the races and I twisted my ankle and hurt my foot and they. I said, I will stay and try to tough it out, but they basically disqualified me.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Oh, my gosh. It was CVS beyond the Edge only.

[Lauren Alaina]

A few years ago, back in, like.

[Bobby Bones]

The 16, 1700s, possibly a little bit 1800s. Had you twisted your ankle, you're just dead.

[Radhi Deblokia]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

It's over because your job is, like, carrying stuff and running and running from animals and a simple ankle twist. It was nice knowing you, Lauren.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah. Time to like that girl. She was pretty funny. Now she's gone.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, I remember the show. Now that I see the picture of.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

It, I do, too.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Radhi Deblokia]

Yeah.

[Lauren Alaina]

I was, like, dominating. I won every competition I was in until I got hurt. Like, I was so far in the lead. I would have won that show because.

[Bobby Bones]

Craig Morgan was on it.

[Lauren Alaina]

Craig Morgan was there? Yes. My dear friend.

[Bobby Bones]

I thought you were going to say he died. I was. No, she grabbed her heart like Craig. I got to let you guys know.

[Lauren Alaina]

We may have all died.

[Bobby Bones]

Without him.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Oh, my God.

[Lauren Alaina]

It was like catching the fish.

[Bobby Bones]

She scared me. She was like, I got bad news for you guys.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Oh, yeah. Like, so he was providing the food.

[Radhi Deblokia]

Yeah.

[Lauren Alaina]

He was a great person to have on a show.

[Bobby Bones]

I got fish.

[Lauren Alaina]

When you're trapped in the jungle. Yeah. I mean, he could live. You could drop him off anywhere and he would live.

[Bobby Bones]

You are gonna play our I Heart country festival, which we're super excited about.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm so pumped. That's gonna be a lot of fun. Those festivals are always fun when you get to play with other people because it's not like you get to. You live in the same town, but when you come home, you definitely. Everybody goes to their own little huts.

[Lauren Alaina]

Oh, yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And so with this, it's.

[Lauren Alaina]

We get so few time, so little time at home that it's not like we're trying to hang out.

[Bobby Bones]

You Luke Bryan, you ever tour, Luke?

[Lauren Alaina]

Twice. That was my first tour ever. After Idol. I went out. Luke was direct support for Jason Aldine and I was first. What a crazy Tour. I was 16 years old. That was my first tour.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, that was a long time ago. Like, as far as, like. That's kid Lauren.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah. And he's. They. They have both actually taken me out on tour a few times.

[Bobby Bones]

Do you have to have a parent with you?

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah. My mom toured with me until I turned 18. Poor thing. That was really fun for her. I'm sure. Dealing with a 16 year old who all of a sudden thinks she knows everything. But this season of life with my mother has been the best. And I have apologized 1500 times to her for every time I was ever a smart aleck. Now that I have my own daughter, I'm like, is she ever gonna do that to me? Please. No.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

Probably. Yes. A little bit.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Come watch Lauren on our I Heart country festival. It's Saturday, May 2, at the Moody center in Austin. Go to Ticketmaster.com and congratulations on the song. Yeah, you're right. It is really doing well.

[Lauren Alaina]

Thank you.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, super cool.

[Lauren Alaina]

Thank you.

[Bobby Bones]

And congrats.

[Lauren Alaina]

And Chase will be there at the show as well, so we'll do it together.

[Bobby Bones]

That's what I say about Chase. Who gives a crap? I'm just kidding. I'm totally kidding. I like Chase a lot.

[Lauren Alaina]

He's the best.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, Chase is really great. And you guys go follow Lauren on Social. And not only that, strain the song. All my exes. Congratulations on everything. Lauren. Cross on the baby mostly.

[Lauren Alaina]

Thank you.

[Bobby Bones]

That's too. I like the name Benny. I never thought Benny was like a super dude name.

[Lauren Alaina]

Thank you.

[Bobby Bones]

I feel like Benny's just like a universal thank you. Also like say it louder for the I also like I've said this on the show for 15 years. I like dude names. Unless it's like Frank or Ron. I think guy names work on girls.

[Lauren Alaina]

Yeah, I think so too.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Lauren, Elaine, everybody. There she is. Good job.

[Lauren Alaina]

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[iHeartRadio Event Announcer]

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[Lauren Alaina]

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[iHeartRadio Event Announcer]

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[Radhi Deblokia]

This is Radhi Deblokia from A really good Cry. I absolutely love being outdoors, even if it's just stepping outside for a bit of fresh air between meals or taking a mindful walk to clear my head. But the one thing that can really ruin that is when my feet feel cramped in my shoes. So I switched to ultra running and honestly, it makes such a difference. What I love most is their signature Altra Fit, Comfort, balance, strength. They have this roomy toe box that lets my toes actually spread and move naturally. So I really appreciate that and I feel more grounded and balanced with every single step. It's like my feet can finally do their job using all those little muscles that make me feel stronger the more I move. Whether you are a marathon runner, beginner or advanced, or just getting outside to train, altras have become my go to for running and moving mindfully. They fit so well, they're so comfortable and they just move with you. Shop now at ultrarunning.com and use my code CRY10 for 10% off. That's a L T R-A running.com experience Altra and stay out there.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, the holidays have come and gone once again, but if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift. Well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless.

[Lauren Alaina]

So here's the idea. You get it now.

[Bobby Bones]

You call it an early present for next year. What do you have to lose? Give it a [e-mail] Switch limited time.

[Lauren Alaina]

50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required 45 for 3 months, $90 for 6 months or 180 for.

[Bobby Bones' Wife]

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[Lauren Alaina]

Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy. See Terms. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.