Remember her name: Hannah Harper. The Missouri native and mother of three boys left the American Idol judges in awe with her original song, “String Cheese.” Growing up performing gospel bluegrass with her family, The Harper Family, Hannah developed a love for music early—but after having children, she decided to pursue a solo career, hoping to give her sons “an unconventional upbringing,” just like her own, but even bigger.
Her audition song, written during a battle with postpartum depression, struck a deeply relatable chord. Carrie Underwood was moved to tears, while Luke Bryan praised the “mountainous bluegrass” in her voice, comparing her to Kacey Musgraves and Alison Krauss. Carrie even heard shades of Dolly Parton.
Lionel Richie applauded her storytelling and stage presence, encouraging her to “fill the room” with her voice. Carrie called her “gorgeous” and “unassuming,” admitting she’d be rooting for Hannah long after leaving the audition room.
The judges’ glowing feedback didn’t stop once she left: Luke said there was “real juice” in her performance, and Carrie noted her voice’s “perfectly moldable” quality for stardom. Fans are already hooked, and with her relatable story, undeniable talent, and charm, Hannah Harper looks poised to go far in American Idol.