By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Assistant Editor Tuesday, May 12, 2026Hannah Harper | Screenshot/YouTube/American Idol
Hannah Harper is the newest winner of “American Idol,” capping a season in which the Missouri mother-of-three openly shared her Christian faith, struggles with postpartum depression and passion for worship music with millions of viewers.
The 26-year-old Willow Springs, Missouri, native was crowned the winner Monday night during the show’s three-hour finale, defeating finalists Jordan McCullough, a worship leader who performed “Goodness of God” as his final song of the night, and Keyla Richardson.
Harper performed “Married Into This Town,” teamed with country singer Lee Ann Womack for a duet of “I Hope You Dance,” and revisited her original song “String Cheese,” which went viral following her audition earlier this season.
“You deserve to be here for your voice, for who you are as a person, for who you are as a mom, as a daughter, for your songwriting. I’m so proud,” an emotional Carrie Underwood told Harper following her first performance of the night.
After host Ryan Seacrest announced her victory, Harper became emotional as she closed the night with “At The Cross (Love Ran Red)” by Chris Tomlin while fellow contestants and judges gathered around her onstage.
“At the cross, at the cross/ I surrender my life/ I’m in awe of you,” she sang through tears.
Hours after her win, Harper celebrated the moment in an Instagram post, thanking fans for supporting her throughout the competition and pointing back to her faith.
“What a wild, beautiful journey this has been. And somehow we’re just getting started,” Harper wrote. “Thank you to every single person who believed in me, prayed over me, voted and helped carry this dream farther than I ever could’ve imagined.”
“I’m beyond thankful for the doors the Lord has opened and for the opportunity to walk this path,” she added before quoting Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you.”
Harper, who attends First Baptist Church of Birch Tree, consistently spoke throughout the season about the role faith has played in her life and music.
Her audition went viral after she performed “String Cheese,” an original song inspired by her experience battling postpartum depression. During the audition, Harper shared that the song stemmed from a difficult moment with her son that she said ultimately reminded her that motherhood was “the biggest ministry” God had given her.
Underwood, who previously told The Christian Post she “loves” Harper, was visibly moved by the performance, calling it “the most relatable song” she had ever heard and praising Harper’s authenticity and storytelling.
Throughout the competition, Harper continued performing faith-centered music, including during the show’s “Songs of Faith” night, when she first sang “At the Cross.”
In interviews during the season, Harper said she viewed the national platform as an opportunity to openly talk about her relationship with Jesus.
“I’ve been in ministry since I was 9 years old,” Harper told CP earlier this season. “Having a platform at this level and getting to still be this open about my relationship with the Lord is an incredible honor to me.”
Harper also shared that she and several contestants regularly prayed together backstage during the competition.
“The entire competition in itself is scary, and there’s a lot of spiritual warfare in LA, and we both are like sponges when it comes to that,” she said. “We feel all of it. So it’s been really nice to have somebody like-minded in that sense to be able to share these moments with me.”
By the season finale, Harper had emerged as one of the show’s breakout stars: “I think it’s important for people to know you’re never too far gone,” Harper said. “He can meet you anywhere … no matter what walk of life you’re in.”
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]
