Introduction:
Lauren Alaina Reveals the Real Story Behind Her Duet With Kane Brown — And the Workout She’ll Never Regret Skipping
Country music has produced countless unforgettable duets, but few have left a mark quite like Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina’s smash hit “What Ifs.” The 2017 breakout single didn’t just launch Brown into superstardom — it also reminded fans of the undeniable chemistry between two artists who, long before fame, were simply middle school choir kids sharing the same lunchroom.
This week, from September 22–26, Lauren Alaina steps in as guest co-host of Backstage Country with Elaina Smith. And she’s offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one favor for an old friend unexpectedly became one of the most successful country collaborations of the decade.
How a Simple Favor Became a Hit
Alaina and Brown’s connection runs deeper than many fans realize. The two grew up together, sang in the same choir, and remained close as their careers began to rise. When Brown wrote “What Ifs,” he didn’t hesitate to call the person he trusted most.
“He called me one day and asked me to be a part of that song,” Alaina said on the show. “I sang on the demo as a favor. The label liked my voice on it, so they kept me on it. The whole thing was just really random… very organic. I will never forget it.”
What began as a quick recording session meant to help a friend turned into a defining moment for both artists — and ultimately topped the country charts.
The Workout She Happily Skipped
Alaina also revealed that the now-famous recording session almost didn’t happen — at least not that day. She was literally on her way to a boxing class when Brown called.
“I was on my way to the gym,” she recalled. “He said, ‘Hey, I just wrote this song… can you come sing on the chorus?’ I asked if he needed it right then, and he said they’d only be there a little longer.”
Faced with a choice between breaking a sweat and making music, Alaina turned the car around.
“So, I canceled my workout,” she laughed. “Best workout I ever skipped. We made a lot of money from skipping that one.”
A Friendship That Transformed Into a Career Milestone
As Alaina continues her hosting week on Backstage Country, she’s giving fans a heartfelt look into a friendship that survived childhood, fame, and time — ultimately producing one of country music’s most beloved duets.
Before dusting off old yearbooks and texting your middle school friends about starting a band, tune in — Lauren Alaina has plenty more stories to tell.