Nashville, Tennessee – October 6, 2025 – In the glittering world of country music, where spotlights burn bright and stages echo with heartfelt anthems, few stories capture the essence of resilience and joy quite like that of Lauren Alaina. The 30-year-old powerhouse, known for her soaring vocals and unapologetic authenticity, has long been a beacon for fans navigating life’s twists and turns. But as she gears up for a major milestone in her career—joining Rascal Flatts on their highly anticipated Life Is a Highway Tour in 2026—Alaina is rewriting the narrative of stardom. This time, she’s not just hitting the road alone. She’s packing up her newborn daughter, Beni Doll, for the adventure of a lifetime.
Announced in a candid TikTok video last month, Alaina’s decision to bring her seven-month-old (by tour’s start) along has sparked a wave of admiration and curiosity among fans. “We’re going back out with Rascal Flatts on tour,” she shared while applying her signature stage makeup in the “Get Ready With Me” clip that quickly went viral. “I’m so excited about that. I did the whole tour pregnant last time, and now I’ll have a newborn. They’re going to get to see what came out of the bump.” With a laugh that radiates warmth, Alaina added a touch of humor: “Nicest guys ever, so I’m excited we’re going back out with them… but I’ll be able to see my feet this time.”
It’s a moment that encapsulates Alaina’s journey: from wide-eyed American Idol contestant in 2011 to Grammy-nominated artist, and now, to trailblazing mom on the move. The Life Is a Highway Tour, an extension of Rascal Flatts’ triumphant 2025 run celebrating their 25th anniversary, promises to be a nostalgic ride down memory lane for fans of the genre. Kicking off on January 15 in Raleigh, North Carolina, the 2026 leg will weave through arenas in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Paul, Minnesota; and beyond, blending the trio’s timeless hits like “Life Is a Highway” and “Bless the Broken Road” with Alaina’s fresh energy. As the opening act, she’ll deliver sets packed with her signature blend of empowerment ballads and foot-stomping anthems, all while navigating the uncharted territory of parenthood in the fast lane.
Yet beneath the excitement lies a raw vulnerability that Alaina has never shied away from sharing. Motherhood, she admits, is a whirlwind of emotions—particularly when it collides with the demands of a touring schedule. “I mean, I love what I do, so I’m excited, but I’m scared too,” she confessed in the video, her voice cracking just enough to remind viewers she’s as human as the rest of us. “And being away from her for 90 minutes sounds like the most impossible thing I’ve ever heard of.” For Alaina, who welcomed Beni Doll Arnold on June 11 with her husband, Cam Arnold, the fear isn’t abstract. It’s the gut-wrenching pull between the stage that shaped her dreams and the tiny human who now holds her heart.
Beni Doll’s arrival was nothing short of a miracle in Alaina’s eyes, especially given the shadows that preceded it. The couple had announced their unexpected pregnancy last year through Alaina’s poignant music video for “Those Kind of Women,” a track that honors the fierce matriarchs who raised her. But joy intertwined with grief when Alaina’s father passed away shortly before Beni’s birth, turning what could have been a straightforward celebration into a testament of healing. “We learned she was coming in a time of deep sadness after the loss of my daddy,” Alaina reflected in an Instagram post announcing the birth. Despite powering through her pregnancy—performing at CMA Fest well past her due date and opening for Rascal Flatts while visibly glowing with child—Alaina paused to soak in those early months. Now, with a few scattered shows wrapping up her 2025 slate, she’s easing back into the rhythm, her first post-baby performance just weeks behind her.
The logistics of touring with an infant might daunt even the most seasoned road warrior, but Alaina’s plan is as practical as it is heartfelt: family first, quite literally. “Beni’s coming on the road,” she revealed, “and her grandmothers are coming with me.” This built-in support system—likely including Alaina’s own mother, Kristy, a constant presence in her life and career—transforms potential chaos into a manageable harmony. Grandmas on tour? It’s a Southern twist on the rock ‘n’ roll babysitter trope, evoking images of lullabies sung backstage amid guitar tunings and quick changes. Alaina has already teased glimpses of this new normal: snapshots of Beni napping in sound-check setups, tiny toes peeking from under tour jackets, and even a whimsical video where Sesame Street’s Elmo croons a lullaby to the baby during an Opry appearance. “Am I officially a cool mom yet?” Alaina quipped after the furry red monster planted a kiss on Beni’s forehead. The answer, from fans flooding the comments? A resounding yes.
This bold choice stems from a deeper conviction: the belief that women in music don’t have to choose between ambition and family. Alaina’s career has always been a masterclass in defying expectations. Runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol, she burst onto the scene with “Like My Mother Does,” a tear-jerker that mirrored her own tight-knit Georgia roots. Hits like “Road Less Traveled” and “Doin’ Fine” followed, earning her accolades including a 2018 ACM New Female Vocalist award and a spot as a judge on American Idol’s recent seasons. But it’s her unfiltered honesty—about body image struggles, divorce from her first marriage, and now the raw edges of new motherhood—that cements her as a relatable icon.
Take, for instance, her recent candor on breastfeeding woes, shared amid preparations for the tour. In a series of posts that amassed millions of views, Alaina opened up about the battles with latching issues and tongue tie that plagued Beni’s early days. “It’s not all milk and cookies,” she wrote, clapping back at online “mom-shamers” who questioned her choices. From pumping sessions in hotel rooms to transitioning to bottles, Alaina’s transparency has sparked conversations, reminding followers that even stars grapple with the unglamorous side of parenting. “We’re all just figuring it out,” she said in one clip, bottle in hand as Beni cooed nearby. “And that’s okay.” Her latest single, “All My Exes,” a cheeky nod to past heartaches now reframed through mature eyes, has topped country radio add boards, proving her artistry thrives amid life’s messiness.
Rascal Flatts, the tour’s headliners, couldn’t be more thrilled about their returning opener—or her pint-sized plus-one. The trio—Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox, and Joe Don Rooney—reunited in 2025 after a pandemic-forced hiatus and a 2021 disbandment that left fans heartbroken. Their Life Is a Highway Tour has been a roaring success, blending high-energy sets with intimate storytelling, and extending into 2026 feels like destiny. “Lauren’s energy is infectious,” DeMarcus shared in a recent interview. “She brought the house down last year, bump and all. Can’t wait to see her light up the stage with that little one in the wings.” It’s a full-circle moment for Alaina, who credits the band’s kindness for making her pregnancy tour feasible. Now, with Beni as the surprise encore, the dynamic promises even more magic.
As the calendar flips toward January, Alaina’s days are a blur of rehearsals, nursery rhymes, and late-night songwriting. She’s hinted at new music bubbling up—perhaps tracks inspired by Beni’s giggles or the quiet strength of Cam, her rock-solid partner who balanced diaper duty with her studio sessions. “Heaven Sent,” a single dropped around Beni’s birth, captures that ethereal gratitude: a father’s legacy reborn in a daughter’s eyes. Fans speculate the tour could unveil more from her forthcoming album, weaving motherhood’s triumphs into twangy confessions.
But beyond the sets and spotlights, Alaina’s story is a rallying cry for working parents everywhere, especially women in high-stakes fields. In an industry where burnout is the norm and “having it all” often feels like a myth, her willingness to bring Beni along challenges the status quo. It’s a reminder that the road less traveled—the one with car seats and cry breaks—can lead to the richest destinations. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything,” Alaina posted recently, a tour map pinned behind a family selfie. “Scared? Absolutely. But excited? More than words can say.”
As opening night approaches in Raleigh, the country music world watches with bated breath. Will Beni steal the show with a backstage cameo? Will Alaina’s voice soar even higher, fueled by a mother’s fire? One thing’s certain: this tour won’t just be about highways and heart songs. It’ll be about home—messy, mobile, and utterly unbreakable. For Lauren Alaina, the stage has always been her sanctuary. Now, with Beni Doll by her side, it’s becoming her greatest adventure yet.
