Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina Sizzle on ACM Stage with Sultry “What Ifs” Duet

Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina lit up the stage at the 2018 ACM Awards with a stunning performance of their hit duet, “What Ifs.”

Their friendship dates back to their teenage years—Kane was 13 and Lauren 12 when they first met at Lakeview Middle School in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Though they took different roads to fame—Lauren through American Idol and Kane via social media—they both found success in the world of country music.

Their breakout collaboration, “What Ifs,” not only topped charts but also earned them a nomination for Vocal Event of the Year at the 2018 ACMs, as well as a win for Collaborative Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards.

During the live ACM Awards broadcast from Las Vegas, the longtime friends took the stage and wowed the audience with their soaring harmonies and undeniable chemistry.

As the performance reached its climax, Brown and Alaina leaned in close, teasing what looked like a kiss—creating a dramatic moment that left the crowd breathless. But instead of locking lips, the two shared a warm hug, sparking thunderous applause from the audience.

Though the moment made headlines and thrilled fans, both artists later confessed it was a bit awkward. In an interview with Taste of Country, Kane revealed he hadn’t watched the performance again, calling it “super awkward.” He explained that producers had suggested the dramatic ending to help “sell the song.”

“They told us exactly how to finish,” Brown said. “Lauren even joked, ‘Might as well grab his butt too!’”

Since then, both stars have moved forward in their personal lives. Kane married Katelyn Jae in 2018, and the couple now has three children. Lauren married Cam Arnold in early 2024, and the couple is expecting their first child, a baby girl, in 2025.

📽 Watch Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina’s unforgettable 2018 performance of “What Ifs” in the video below!