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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 3 June 2017
Post-’Idol,’ Lauren Alaina is healthier, happier and honest

BY KRISTIN M. HALL gia. “And this one page
Associated Press called me ‘Miss Piggy,’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Six and they only referred to
years after being a finalist me as ‘Miss Piggy.’ I was
on “American Idol,” coun- a 16-year-old girl. I did not
try singer Lauren Alaina know how to deal with that
is finally feeling happy, and I was already insecure
healthy and celebrating about my weight.”
hard-earned radio success. Almost immediately af-
All it took was to be honest ter her season on “Idol”
with her fans and herself. ended, Alaina released
The bubbly, enthusiastic her debut album, “Wild-
singer with an impressive flower.” But those weren’t
vocal range was a fan her songs, and her label
favorite on the reality TV couldn’t make any of the
show, being named runner- singles stick on country ra-
up in 2011 behind country dio.
singer Scotty McCreery. “I was really fearful that I
But behind-the-scenes, she was going to lose my re-
was a teenager who was cord deal,” Alaina said. “It’s
struggling with body image really scary as a female to
issues that escalated once not have that success early
she was in the public eye. on in your career, ‘cause
In middle school, she be- you don’t know how many
gan noticing the difference chances you are going to
between her body shape get.”
and other girls’ when she Meanwhile her personal In this May 24, 2017, photo, singer Lauren Alaina poses in Nashville, Tenn.
joined the cheerleading life was adding more stress. Associated Press
team. Her father went into rehab ing out.” chart (which tracks radio now,” Frasure said. “I have
“I was taller and had an for alcohol addiction and Through it all, the singer airplay). “Road Less Trav- kind of watched them both
athletic build, where those her parents divorced. Her had one song in her back eled,” also the name of become these amazing in-
girls were gymnasts and eating disorder got so bad pocket that she hoped her sophomore album dependent women.”
they were lean,” Alaina that it started affecting would change her ca- released in January, is a “Road Less Traveled” spent
said, who is now 22. her vocal cords. Finally her reer, a tune called “Road crafty blend of Alaina’s 34 weeks on Billboard’s
While “Idol” brought her a mother staged an interven- Less Traveled,” which she powerful vocals, Frasure’s country airplay chart be-
national audience and le- tion with a doctor to try to co-wrote in 2013 with Jes- beats and lyrics that speak fore becoming Alaina’s first
gions of fans, she couldn’t force her to confront the se Frasure and Meghan volumes about being an No. 1. At the June 7 CMT
avoid seeing the negative, truth and get professional Trainor before Trainor’s “All individual and not letting Music Awards in Nashville,
trolling comments. help. About That Bass” launched criticism tear you down. Tennessee, the song’s mu-
“I would see these people “I thought I had it all her pop career. “It’s funny because I think sic video will compete for
calling me ‘fat’ and calling wrapped up and nobody Four years later, the song (Lauren and Meghan) were female video of the year
me horrible names,” said knew,” Alaina said. “I was hit the No. 1 spot on Bill- going through this huge and breakthrough video of
Alaina, who is from Geor- so sick, like my hair was fall- board’s country airplay change, looking back the year. q
Black Eyed Peas are still Fergalicious: Fergie didn’t leave

MESFIN FEKADU Sunday’s charity concert boo. Fergie first appeared
AP Music Writer in Manchester, England, on the group’s third album,
NEW YORK (AP) — Boom alongside Ariana Grande. 2003’s “Elephunk,” helping
Boom Pow: Fergie is still a Will.i.am’s interview with them achieve mainstream
member of the Black Eyed Ahlan! magazine caused a success. The group went
Peas. frenzy online Thursday with on to win Grammy Awards,
A representative for the the suggestion that Fergie sell millions of albums and
singer told The Associated was no longer a member top the pop charts with hits
Press that the songstress of the pop group. A day from “Where Is the Love” to
has not left the group, even later, will.i.am said in a “Boom Boom Pow.”
though a magazine report- statement: “Fergie is family Fergie also had major suc-
ed Thursday that will.i.am and will always be a Pea. cess with her 2006 solo
said she was no longer in She is focused on her solo debut, which was heav-
the group. album which we fully sup- ily produced by will.i.am.
Fergie’s representative said port.” She announced last week
Friday she is “concentrat- In the interview, will.i.am that she left Universal Music
ing on her new album and said that “nobody is re- Group, the longtime label
can’t wait for fans to hear placing Fergie” and that behind her and the Black
it.” Because of her album the Black Eyed Peas are In this Feb. 8, 2017 file photo, Fergie performs at the Tommy Hil- Eyed Peas, to launch her
figer TommyxGigi Runway Show at Venice Beach in Los Angeles.
commitments, Fergie will working on a new project. Associated Press own record label called
not perform with the Black He said former Pussycat Dutchess Music through
Eyed Peas at two events Doll leader Nicole Scher- BMG.
this weekend: Saturday’s zinger would be featured She plans to release her
opening ceremony for the on the project but didn’t er was offered a spot in the leased its debut in 1998 as sophomore album, “Dou-
UEFA Champions League say how much involvement Peas before Fergie). an eclectic hip-hop trio with ble Dutchess,” this year. q
final in Cardiff, Wales, and she would have (Scherzing- The Black Eyed Peas re- will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Ta-