Hannah Harper’s American Idol audition delivered one of the most emotional moments of the season, bringing Carrie Underwood to tears with a deeply personal original song. The 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Willow Springs, Missouri, performed “String Cheese,” a heartfelt reflection on motherhood and her battle with postpartum depression.
Harper grew up in an unconventional musical family, traveling the country for seven years in a bluegrass gospel band with her parents. After marrying in 2016, she quickly became a mom to three young boys, embracing both the chaos and joy that came with it. Following the birth of her youngest child, Harper struggled emotionally, and songwriting became her way through.
Wearing a homemade patchwork dress and accompanied by acoustic guitar, Harper’s honest lyrics struck a chord. Underwood called the song “the most relatable” she’d ever heard, while Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie praised her voice and storytelling, comparing her to Kacey Musgraves, Alison Krauss, and Dolly Parton.
All three judges voted yes, sending Harper to Hollywood Week—where she hopes to keep representing moms everywhere who are still chasing their dreams.