Trisha Yearwood Invites Lauren Alaina To Join The Grand Ole Opry
Lauren Alaina was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry over the weekend (12/18). The Opry was the first major stage Alaina played on June 10, 2011, just a week after she was named runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol. Earlier this fall she marked her 50th appearance on the Opry.
Opry member and friend Trisha Yearwood surprised Alaina on stage with the invitation. Throughout the evening, the Opry played video greetings from artists sharing their 2021 Christmas wishes. When Yearwood appeared to share her wish via video on the Opry House screens during a break in Alaina’s set, she ended with, “Hey… is that Lauren Alaina?” Yearwood then made her way on stage. “Junior (her nickname for Alaina), I have a present for you. And I have some surprises for you too. I know your Mom is here, and I know your Dad is as well. He’s super proud of you right now because I have the honor of asking you on behalf of the Grand Ole Opry if you will please accept our invitation of becoming our newest member.”
Dropping to her knees and emotional Lauren uttered a winded, “Yes!” Holding Yearwood’s hand after many minutes catching her breath, she said, “I did not expect this. You are my hero. I could not have picked a more perfect person to ask me. She calls me Junior – ya’ll I’m in her phone as Junior which is the coolest thing to have happened to me besides this!”
Trisha went on to say, “You are the real deal. You’ve played over 50 times. It’s obvious what this means to you. This is a very special club to be in so you have to understand what the Opry means to be asked. It’s such an honor. Country music is in good hands with you. Soak up every second!”
Yearwood posted a video of herself before she surprised Lauren on Instagram. She wrote, “Welcome to the family, Junior!! xo @laurenalaina @opry.”
See that post HERE.
Lauren Alaina
