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Lauren Alaina is mourning the loss of her cousin, Holly, who inspired her to audition for American Idol more than a decade ago.
Alaina, now 30, told then-judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson that she decided to audition for the competition show because of Holly. She said at the time that Holly “is the reason I ever started singing.” The pair used to listen to meet at Holly’s house and sing along while listening to music in her room. Alaina was a high school student in Georgia when she auditioned for Idol, and ultimately finished runner-up in the show’s 10th season in 2011 (fellow country star Scotty McCreery won that year). Holly was reportedly 41 when she passed away.
“If you followed my American Idol journey then you know Holly,” Alaina wrote in a caption as she paid tribute to her late cousin. Alaina shared a compilation of moments she shared with Holly on Instagram on Monday evening (July 21), set to her 2020 ballad, “The Other Side.” “Wherever Holly went I was always close behind. She is the sister I never had and my favorite person on this planet. Thank you so much for all the love and prayers. It truly means the world. Please keep my aunt & uncle in your continued prayers. As a new mother, I cannot even fathom the pain of losing a child. I love you forever, Holly. Give my daddy a hug for me 🤍”
Alaina, who lost her father in July 2024 and welcomed her daughter last month, shared on her Instagram story over the weekend: “I know so many of you loved and prayed for Holly after seeing her story in my American Idol audition. You have prayed. You have loved her. You have supported us. We are forever grateful. Holly finally got complete and total healing and is walking with Jesus. Please continue to pray for our family as we grieve such a tremendous loss.”