Hannah Harper brought the most emotional audition so far this season to Monday night’s episode of American Idol.
Remember her name…Hannah Harper. The talented mother of three boys earned high praise from the American Idol judges with her performance of an original song called “String Cheese.” Harper grew up in Missouri singing gospel bluegrass music with her family, The Harper Family.
After marrying and having children, she decided she wanted to pursue a solo music career so her boys could have “an unconventional upbringing” as she had, but “in a bigger way.” Her hope is that American Idol will be a stepping stone to a career that will sustain her family full-time.
For her audition, Hannah performed a song that she had written after struggling with postpartum depression following the birth of her third child. The relatable lyrics had Carrie Underwood in tears, and her vocals earned high praise from the entire judging panel.
“Hannah, great job. Just with that mountainous bluegrass sound that you have in there, I kept thinking Kacey Musgraves is in there. I kept thinking, certainly, Alison Krauss,” Luke Bryan said. Carrie agreed, adding that she had some Dolly Parton influence as well.
Lionel Richie praised her ability to tell a story and told her to channel Dolly by “filling the room” with her voice.
“You might be my favorite person that’s walked through those doors,” Carrie Underwood said. “You’re gorgeous. You look famous already. I just think you have a beautiful simplicity to your voice. You’re one that I’m gonna think about when we leave here, like ‘I wonder what song she’s gonna sing next.’ I feel like I’m just gonna be rooting for you. I loved everything about everything you do.”
The judges were still singing Hannah Harper’s praises after she left the audition room. “She was great,” Lionel said. Luke added, “There’s some real juice on that one.”
“Unassuming. Sweet,” Carrie said, and Luke added, “Perfectly moldable into stardom.”
If fan reaction is any indication, Hannah Harper will likely go far in the competition. Idol has never seen a voice quite like hers. Her story is relatable, and her personality and likability are off the charts.
Hear Hannah Harper’s cover of Lee Ann Womack’s “The Fool” in the video below.