Following a vocal chord injury that left this finalist perilously close to not competing, Lauren Alaina took to the stage and told viewers “I’m fine.” But she concluded the night a lot better than that.
Thanks to a concluding number of “Like My Mother Does,” sang to her actual mother in the crowd, Alaina left an impression that had all the judges practically crowning her champion.
“With that song, you may have just won,” J. Lo gushed. “You sang it beautifully. It was perfect for you.”
Check out the performance now, followed by Lauren’s first two from the finale – “Maybe It Was Memphis” and “Flat on the Floor” – and sound off: is this the next American Idol?