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Lauren Alaina breaks down, urges mental health at ACM

5/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Lauren Alaina introduced Dan + Shay’s set at 61st Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 17-18, 2026, and broke down in tears.
She said no one suffering in secret is alone, citing her own anxiety, depression and her father J.J. Suddeth’s 2024 death.
The ceremony cited the ACM Lifting Lives program, 24/7 suicide-prevention hotlines, and Dan + Shay’s performance of “Say So,” a song inspired by friend Ben Vaughn’s death.

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Story summary

Lauren Alaina introduced Dan + Shay’s set at 61st Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 17-18, 2026, and broke down in tears.
She said no one suffering in secret is alone, citing her own anxiety, depression and her father J.J. Suddeth’s 2024 death.
The ceremony cited the ACM Lifting Lives program, 24/7 suicide-prevention hotlines, and Dan + Shay’s performance of “Say So,” a song inspired by friend Ben Vaughn’s death.