Lauren Alaina Honors Her Father One Year After His Passing with a Song Straight From the Heart
“I Still Reach for the Phone.”
It’s been one year since country singer and Grand Ole Opry member Lauren Alaina lost her beloved father, JJ Suddeth. The unexpected heartbreak struck on July 24, 2024, prompting Lauren to cancel her next three shows to grieve with family. At the time, she shared a simple, devastating message:
“We lost my daddy last night, and I really don’t have words yet.”
Now, on the first anniversary of that painful day, Lauren returned with another candid message—just as raw, just as real.
A Year of Learning to Live Without Him
Marking 365 days since her father’s death, Lauren posted a heartfelt note reflecting on life without him:
“I’ve spent the last 365 days learning how to live in a world that doesn’t have my daddy in it.”
She opened up about how grief still sneaks in—how sometimes she reaches for the phone, forgetting he’s no longer there, or sits in silence, letting the sadness settle.
In a moving Facebook post, Lauren included a photo from her wedding day, standing next to her father. Her words focused not just on loss, but on the way grief lingers in the small things—holidays, birthdays, quiet moments, and change:
“It’s dreaming you’re here and waking up remembering. It’s life moving forward but feeling stuck in what was.”
She ended with a reflection on how her father’s death shifted her priorities, softening her perspective and bringing clarity to what truly matters.
New Music Born from Grief: “Little Things”
In her post, Lauren revealed something deeply personal: a new song, “Little Things,” inspired by her father’s memory.
“This is not just a song—it’s a letter to him. A way to tell him how much he’s changed me, even after he’s gone.”
Lauren shared that losing her father forced her to slow down, focus on mental health, be more present, and let go of things that don’t truly matter.
To honor him, she included a demo of the track, offering fans a glimpse into the vulnerable, unpolished emotions that inspired it. You can hear the pain, growth, and love in every note.
Another Tragedy: Mourning Her Cousin Holly
Just days before remembering her father, Lauren faced another devastating loss—her cousin, Holly Witherow, passed away at 41.
Holly, who had overcome brain cancer and a life-threatening brain bleed in 2019, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Lauren described her as “the reason I ever started singing,” and those who watched American Idol in 2011 will remember Holly standing by Lauren’s side throughout the show.
In a touching video tribute, Lauren wrote:
“Wherever Holly went I was always close behind. She is the sister I never had and my favorite person on this planet.”
Two Losses. One Resilient Heart.
Though the past year has been full of sorrow, Lauren Alaina continues to show grace and strength through her music and honesty. Whether it’s the quiet ache of missing her father or the irreplaceable bond with her cousin, she’s using her voice to grieve, heal, and connect—with fans and with herself.
Listen to “Little Things” and watch her tribute to Holly below.
Some stories are too real for words. But Lauren sings them anyway.