Whether she takes home the trophy at the end of the season or not, Hannah Harper has already won.
One of the most compelling and viral American Idol auditions in recent years took place Monday night (Feb. 2) when bluegrass singer Hannah Harper performed for judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood.
While most Idol hopefuls choose to perform covers of songs, Hannah, a 25-year-old mom of three, chose to sing an original song she wrote while struggling with postpartum depression following the birth of her third child. The song, titled “String Cheese,” tells her story of feeling discouraged and annoyed before coming to the realization that “God had put me in that place and that where I was in that house is the biggest ministry I could ever have.”
And just like that, Hannah Harper, unknowingly, started a movement among moms.
Who is Hannah Harper?
Hannah Harper got her musical start as part of her family’s gospel bluegrass band, The Harper Family. For many years, the family lived on a tour bus and traveled the country singing at churches, bluegrass festivals, and venues like Branson’s Silver Dollar City.
The Harper Family consisted of Hannah, her parents Gaylon and Katrina, her brothers Dillon and Dalton, and Dillon’s wife, Makeena. Every member of the family is an accomplished vocalist, instrumentalist, and songwriter, and is a beloved member of the bluegrass gospel community.
Shortly after the family came off the road, Hannah married at 18. She has since had three children, all boys. Throughout her years of travel with The Harper Family, Hannah developed a fan base and, in recent years, a significant social media following.
It came as no surprise to the community that had long followed Hannah Harper and The Harper Family that the singer would find great success on a platform like American Idol.
Why Hannah Harper Has Already Won American Idol
The casting process for American Idol doesn’t only include finding unique, deserving talent. It also includes finding vocalists who have a story to tell.
To date, over twenty-four seasons of American Idol, nobody has quite touched the heart of mothers like Hannah Harper has. While there have been contestants with children, none have been as candid about the struggles and blessings of motherhood as Harper was in her audition.
The combination of her message, compelling song lyrics, and unmatchable bluegrass sound instantly made Hannah Harper this season’s sweetheart and the contestant to beat. Within two days of her audition airing, Harper’s song “String Cheese” became a trending track on TikTok, as moms around the country shared their reactions to hearing it.
Lauren Alaina, American Idol Season 10 runner-up, was one of those moms who shared her reaction to the song, “8 months postpartum, hearing this song for the first time has me in a puddle. @hannahharper thank you for writing this song for us mommas. I can’t wait to watch your journey. I’m rooting for you every step of the way.”
Numerous other public figures expressed their support of Harper’s message and journey, including country singers Mae Estes, Martina McBride, Emily Ann Roberts, Dancing With the Stars pros Sharna Burgess and Witney Carson, The Bachelor alum Ashley Iaconetti, and Married At First Sight alum Jamie Otis Hehner.
In addition to the outpouring of support, “String Cheese” quickly appeared on the all-genre iTunes chart, where it landed in the Top 30.
One thing is certain: whether Hannah Harper is named this season’s American Idol champion or not, she has already won. She found a lane that no previous contestant has filled. She is reaching a segment of the Idol audience who have long felt neglected and who will follow her and support her long after her journey on Idol is over.
Perhaps most importantly, Hannah has been given a platform to share her faith in a time when the world seems hungry for the message.
When will Hannah Harper’s next Idol episode air?
Season 24’s Hollywood Week is scheduled to air starting on February 23. For the first time in the show’s history, Hollywood Week will take place in Nashville. Only 30 contestants will survive the week and earn a coveted trip to the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii for what they are calling the Ohana Round.
During the Ohana Round, three hopefuls were awarded Platinum Tickets by a group of “Industry Tastemakers.” A total of 20 contestants advanced past the Ohana Round and will compete for America’s votes through the remainder of the season.