Laine Hardy is a country singer who won the 17th season of ‘American Idol’ in 2019. He impressed the judges and the viewers with his voice, charm, and musical versatility. However, after his victory, he faced some challenges that kept him away from the spotlight for a while. What happened to Laine Hardy after ‘American Idol’? Here is a summary of his journey so far.
Laine Hardy’s Disappearance from the Spotlight
After winning ‘American Idol’, Laine Hardy released his first single, ‘Flame’, and embarked on a nationwide tour. He also performed for the US troops in Asia and Europe, and made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. He seemed to be on the rise as a country star, but he also faced some criticism for his lack of originality and authenticity. Some fans and critics compared him unfavorably to other country ‘American Idol’ stars who disappeared after their initial success, such as Scotty McCreery, Trent Harmon, and Caleb Lee Hutchinson.
Rumored Hookups and Confirmed Relationships of ‘American Idol’ Singers
Laine Hardy also had his share of romance rumors and drama. He was linked to two women in the past: Sydney Taylor, a beauty pageant queen and a student at Louisiana State University, and Gracie Lee, his high school sweetheart. He dated Taylor briefly in 2020, and they both contracted Covid-19 after being seen together. He had an on-and-off relationship with Lee for two years, and he posted some pictures of them on his Instagram in 2021, calling her “this woman right here”. However, neither of these relationships lasted long, and Laine Hardy remained single for most of his post-‘American Idol’ career. He was not the only ‘American Idol’ singer who had secret hookups or confirmed relationships. Some of the other ‘American Idol’ couples include Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Gabby Barrett and Cade Foehner, and Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery.
Legal Troubles and Career Comeback for Laine Hardy
Laine Hardy’s biggest setback came in 2022, when he was arrested and accused of bugging his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room with a recording device. He allegedly admitted to leaving the device under her bed, and the police found several recordings on it. He was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for “interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communication”, an offense that carries a maximum fine of $10,000 or a prison sentence of up to 10 years. He released a statement at the time, saying that he was cooperating with the authorities and asking for privacy. He then went dark on social media for nearly three months, and his fans wondered if he would ever return to music. However, he made a comeback in July 2022, with a new look and a new song. He shaved his beard and cut his hair, and he shared an acoustic performance of “Rope Swing”, a song he co-wrote in 2019. He also performed on ‘American Idol’ in 2022 as a guest, and he recently made a trip overseas, where he performed for the US service members in Abu Dhabi. He said that he was grateful for the support and guidance he received from his former record label, 19 Entertainment and Disney Music Group, and that he was ready to take his career in a new direction.
Latest Updates on Laine Hardy’s Personal Life and Music Career
Laine Hardy is currently single and focused on his music. He has a close relationship with his family, especially his parents, Barry and Cindy, his brother, Kyle, and his sister, Brittany. He loves hanging out with his nieces, going hunting with his brother, and playing guitar with his dad. He also has a loyal fan base, who call themselves the “Hardy Party”. He has released several singles since his ‘American Idol’ win, such as “Blue Christmas”, “Ground I Grew Up On”, “Let There Be Country”, and “Tiny Town”. He also released his debut album, ‘Here’s to Anyone’, in September 2021, which features 11 tracks, including his hit song “Memorize You”. The album was produced by Michael Knox, who has worked with Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, and Kelly Clarkson. Laine Hardy has also been doing live shows and interviews, and he recently opened up about his life and music in an exclusive interview with Country Music News. He talked about his influences, his songwriting process, his future plans, and his advice for aspiring singers. He also revealed that he is working on new music and that he hopes to collaborate with some of his favorite artists, such as Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, and Chris Stapleton.
Conclusion
Laine Hardy is a country singer who has overcome some obstacles and challenges after winning ‘American Idol’ in 2019. He has faced criticism, rumors, and legal troubles, but he has also shown resilience, growth, and talent. He has released new music and performed for his fans, and he has also taken control of his career and his image. He is still learning and evolving as an artist and as a person, and he is looking forward to the next chapter of his journey. Laine Hardy is not just an ‘American Idol’ winner, he is also a country star in the making.
