Country singer Lauren Alaina cancels shows due to throat problems

Lauren Alaina has cancelled two upcoming shows after she was ordered to rest her voice.

Alaina, who was the runner-up on last year's (11) season of American Idol, has been supporting Sugarland on their tour, but she has been forced to pull out of concerts on Friday (03Aug12) in Cincinnati, Ohio and Saturday (04Aug12) in Detroit, Michigan due to health issues.

The singer has reached out to fans via her website, insisting she is sorry for the cancellation and will "make it up" to the gig-goers who miss out on her performances.

In a post, she writes, "My doctor is putting me on vocal rest so I have to cancel this weekend's shows in Cincinnati (8/3) and Detroit (8/4). I'm really sorry to disappoint the fans who were coming to see me and my friends Sugarland who have helped me out on their tour. I will make it up to you and be back soon!"

It's not the first time Alaina has suffered throat problems - she lost her voice ahead of the 2011 Idol final.