Lauren Alaina Dishes On How Life Has Changed, Performs ‘Wildflower’ Songs

Lauren Alaina has been a busy girl lately. In between announcing big tour news and a glowing appearance at the 2011 American Country Awards, the young star stopped by AOL Sessions for a performance and interview.

There, the Georgia native delivered a saucy rendition of 'Georgia Peaches,' as well as 'Like My Mother Does' and 'Like a Wildflower.' Despite her hair being in a ponytail, it was as if the 'American Idol' famer essentially let her hair down for the performance.

Later, Alaina sat down in front of the cameras to chat about how things have changed in her life since her pre-'Idol' days -- like how she doesn't go to school anymore, but rather takes classes online and is working virtually nonstop. "This is so funny. This morning, one of my friends texted me and I said, 'What are you doing?' And he said, 'Oh, I'm just getting ready for school, what are you doing?' And I said, 'Oh, I'm just getting ready for work,'" she shared. "He's like the same age as me and he's getting ready for school and I'm getting ready for work. It's so weird."

While her life has changed drastically since coming in second place on the hit singing competition, Alaina doesn't mind the tradeoff, as she's gained some amazing experiences. She revealed that her most memorable experience thus far is playing at the Opry because it was always her dad's dream -- and while he never got the chance, he raised his little Georgia peach to believe that she could one day play there.

"My dad doesn't really get to come to a lot of my shows because he has to stay home and work and pay the bills and stuff," she explained. "So, this was one show he got to come to, and when I got offstage he started bawling. To see your dad cry is like … It's different than to see your mom cry, you know? It was just one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me."

The 'Like My Mother Does' hitmaker does admit, however, that to not see her friends and family all the time is the hardest part of her new fame. "I'm like a kid in a candy shop," Alaina said, sharing what trips home are like now. "I run from one house to the next to see my family. I literally don't even rest when I'm at home."

But be assured that the 17-year-old songstress doesn't feel like she's growing up too quickly -- she's always been wise beyond her years. "It's super cool when I get to go home because I get to hang out with kids," she spilled. "I'm always hanging around adults. I don't think I'm being forced to grow up too fast; I would rather people treat me like an adult."

Though, it's obvious to us that in some ways, Alaina is very much still a teenager. One of the most noticeable differences of her fame, to her, is her growing popularity level. "People who didn't really like me, like me now," she said. "It's the weirdest thing. I don't like fake people."

Watch Lauren Alaina Perform 'Georgia Peaches' at AOL Sessions

Watch Lauren Alaina Dish on Her New Life at AOL Sessions