Lauren Alaina took a moment to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month during the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, May 17, as part of its ACM Lifting Lives segment. While speaking to the audience, the country star and Season 10 American Idol runner-up, 31, became visibly emotional, unable to hold back tears.
During the moment, Alaina was also on stage preparing to introduce Dan + Shay, who were set to debut the live performance of their latest single, “Say So,” a deeply personal, mental health-themed song inspired by the loss of the duo’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney’s close friend and mentor Ben Vaughn, who served as the president and CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville. Vaughn died by suicide in January of 2025 at age 49.
“Sometimes, lifting lives can mean saving lives,” Alaina said, beginning her message to the audience from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. “May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an important time to say, if you are secretly suffering, you are not alone.”
“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,” she said, then, pausing and covering up her face with her hand to try and fight back tears.
Showing both love and support for Alaina, the crowd then cheered her on as she summoned the courage to finish her speech.
“There is always someone to listen and someone to help. Just please, please reach out,” Alaina said. “Oh, man, OK, I’m doing a great job ... Tonight's ACM Lifting Lives’ performance is by two friends of mine, Dan + Shay, whose powerful new song ‘Say So’ was inspired by a heartbreaking loss in our country music family. When I first heard it, I knew this song is going to save lives.”
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "HOME" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or visit their website.
Related: The 2026 ACM Awards’ Most-Nominated Artist Won’t Attend the Show — Here’s Why
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