Throwback Thursday: Remember the First Time We Met Lauren Alaina?

Lauren Alaina has been a Music City staple since 2011. And this week she is gearing up to make her next mark on country music with the release of her second album, Road Less Traveled. But before she could make it this far she had to start somewhere, and in her case it was on the popular reality television show American Idol.

At just 15-years-old, the Georgia native made her way to Nashville to audition for season 10 of the hit show. Alaina was adorably nervous standing in front of judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, who offered to bring in her cousin, Holly, for support.

With a boost of confidence from her adoring family member, she performed a rendition of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Like We Never Loved at All” in hopes of impressing the judges and receiving her golden ticket to Hollywood.

“Best we’ve seen all day in Nashville, I’m telling you I’m blown away,” Jackson said to a giddy Alaina. “I’m sitting here like ‘She could have sang the whole thing’ and we’re enjoying it that much.”

Understandably so, this prompted an emotional moment for the young hopeful as tears started streaming down her face.

“I think you should cry,” Tyler explained. “Because you’re going to make 40 million people cry.”

The judges continued with their praises, pointing out her natural talent and predicting her success on the series. With a simultaneous yes, she was sent out the door and onto what would become the next chapter of her music career.

Throughout season 10, she was a fan favorite, performing a slew of country tunes whenever she could, including covers of Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and Sara Evans. Alaina made it all the way to the final round where she placed runner-up, second to Scotty McCreery. The loss didn’t damage her career and landed her a record deal with Mercury Nashville/ 19/Interscope Records, which she still calls home today.

Road Less Traveled will be available Friday, January 27.