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One year ago, Lauren Alaina vulnerably opened up about sitting home on the night of the Academy of Country Music awards.
Now, she attended the ceremony and took the stage to shine a spotlight on mental health awareness.
Alaina, 30, shared a throwback clip of the video she posted in 2025. She was “at home watching the ACMs, and I’m so proud of everyone tonight. I get so excited for everyone because I have the same dream, and I want to be there. I didn’t go to the ACMs last year either, and I just desperately want to be there. And I want to be up for these awards, to even present the awards, and walk the carpet and be with my friends. And I’m just feeling sad.”
The reel Alaina shared on Instagram on Monday evening (May 18) fast forwards to the 2026 ACM Awards. Alaina is beaming as she takes selfies with fans, and poses with her husband and fellow artists while wearing a shimmering red gown on the carpet. Ella Langley’s duet with Miranda Lambert, “Butterfly Season,” plays as Alaina shares some of the highlight moments from her evening at the 61st annual event.
Alaina took the stage that evening to speak about ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic partner, and spotlight mental health awareness. The country star said, “like too many of you out there, I know what it’s like to lose someone who struggled with their mental health. So, to anybody out there tonight suffering, please know there is always,” Alaina paused to take a moment to cry as the audience applauded her, “there is always someone to listen and someone to help. Please, please reach out.” Alaina delivered a heartfelt introduction for Dan + Shay to perform their powerful single, “Say So.”
“I wish I could tell the girl crying on the couch last year that she would not only attend the ACMs but she would take the Stage to present the most important message she could share in her heart,” Alaina, who recently announced her upcoming album, wrote in her caption on Instagram. “Thank you to the [Academy of Country Music] [ACM Lifting Lives] for giving me the opportunity to speak on a topic so important to me. If you are struggling, you are not alone. You never know what a difference one year can make. ❤️”