Lauren Alaina Defends Stella Lefty Amid a Wave of Online Criticism: ‘Do Better’

Lauren Alaina is coming to Stella Lefty’s defense after the rising star was flooded with criticism over an Instagram post showing off her elegant look for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

Lefty stepped onto the VMAs red carpet for the first time dressed to the nines in honor of being nominated for Best New Artist and Best Country Song for her top-charting hit, “Boston.”

With her boyfriend and fellow country act Vincent Mason by her side, the Illinois native strutted down the red carpet in a wedding dress from Claire Pettibone’s fall 2015 bridal collection. The stunning 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. Lefty completed the look with her hair styled in an updo, leaving a few loose waves framing her face.

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 made an effort to call out. 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.

“The comment section is not passing the vibe check,” she wrote.

The “All My Exes” singer went on to look at the situation from a mother’s perspective, imagining how she would feel if people were speaking about her own daughter that way.

“It makes me sad we live in a world where strangers feel it is okay to talk about someone else this way. My heart breaks thinking someone would ever talk about my daughter like this. Do better everyone,” she added.

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. Alaina isn’t the only one who has come to Lefty’s defense lately. Kelsea Ballerini also recently spoke up for the singer following her Grand Ole Opry debut on September 2.

Ballerini, who is an Opry member herself, took to social media to defend Lefty after the comment section filled with negative messages from people claiming she had not earned her place on the coveted stage.

“…It’s about celebration of all kinds of country music…new, old, traditional, current, however you wanna say it. it’s all important, and it should all be able to be shared in our safest and most sacred stage in country music. celebrate music like the opry does. ❤️,” Ballerini wrote at the time.

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. 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.

Lefty has yet to publicly address the criticism. Instead, she has continued to celebrate her recent milestones and the success that has come with her rapid rise in country music.