Lauren Alaina Calls Out Online Criticism of Stella Lefty: “Do Better”

The useful part

Lauren Alaina Defends Stella Lefty Amid a Wave of Online Criticism: 'Do Better'. By Madeleine O'Connell | Posted on September 28, 2026 at 11:42 am Share on: The gown featured a fitted silhouette that flowed into a long flowy skirt and a back that offered a striking mesh design with layers of long, delicate detailing.

How it works

• Kelsea Ballerini also recently spoke up for the singer following her Grand Ole Opry debut on September 2.
• "…It's about celebration of all kinds of country music…new, old, traditional, current, however you wanna say it.
• Before heading inside to watch the star-studded show and see who would take home this year's awards, the "I Know I Know" singer took a moment to describe how it felt to be attending the VMAs for the first time.
• "Me and my friends last year we actually watched, all of us together, sitting together with a huge bowl of popcorn and all the snacks," Lefty told Entertainment Tonight.
• "I'm just thinking about my friends now watching me here and it's really crazy…I love you guys, wish you all were here," she added, giving a shoutout to her friends back home.

What to take from it

Lefty completed the look with her hair styled in an updo, leaving a few loose waves framing her face. Knowing what it feels like to face criticism while living life in the public eye, Alaina urged people to think twice before tearing someone down online. "It makes me sad we live in a world where strangers feel it is okay to talk about someone else this way.

Example or evidence

• to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country.
• While plenty of online users admired her look and complimented Lefty on her appearance, the comment section also drew a slew of negative remarks, something that Lauren Alaina took notice of and instantly...
• View this post on Instagram A post shared by STELLA LEFTY (@stellalefty) This online moment comes amid a wave of recent criticism being aimed at the rising country artist.
• it's all important, and it should all be able to be shared in our safest and most sacred stage in country music.

Details worth keeping

"The comment section is not passing the vibe check," she wrote. Alaina isn't the only one who has come to Lefty's defense lately. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Entertainment Tonight (@entertainmenttonight) This year's VMAs returned to LA for the first time since 2017, taking over the Peacock Theater with Snoop Dogg as host.

Related coverage

• Eonline: Kelsea Ballerini wants country music fans to roll out the welcome mat for Stella Lefty. After the "Boston" singer received criticism for her appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, the "Love You Like...
• Countrynow: "It's about celebration of all kinds of country music…new, old, traditional, current, however you wanna say it. it's all important...," said Ballerini.
• Tasteofcountry: Does Stella Lefty really deserve the 'nepo baby' accusations? Continue reading…
• Tasteofcountry: 'It's about celebration of all kinds of country music...new, old, traditional, current, however you wanna say it,' Ballerini said. Continue reading…