“American Idol” season 24 Top 3 finalist Hannah Harper has been a fan-favorite both among the judges and viewers since her audition, where she performed an original heartfelt song titled “String Cheese.”
Making it all the way to the finale, Harper has navigated more than most contestants, including spending time away from her husband and three children while pursuing her music dreams. Along the way, she’s also faced a wave of negative comments throughout her Idol journey, but she’s learning how to tune out the noise and remain focused on what matters most.
Hannah Harper Reflects on the Toughest Challenge of Her ‘American Idol’ Experience
DisneyHannah Harper has become one of the most relatable “American Idol” contestants this season. The 25-year-old Missouri native is balancing life as a mom of three young children while also chasing her lifelong dreams in music.
Although Harper has found a new, growing fanbase, she’s also understanding that being in the public eye also comes with a lot of hate. It’s something she has admitted has been “the hardest part” of her “American Idol” journey.
“It’s overwhelming,” Harper shared with TV Insider. “Especially growing up in church and singing on a platform where you’re only singing for the Lord and not singing for feedback … it’s crazy to put yourself in a position where you have to be vulnerable and accepting that they could rip you to shreds. They could absolutely hate what you’re doing,” she said.
Harper admitted that being vulnerable has “hurt at times because people will make assumptions of who they think I am as a person.” Still, the finalist said she’s learning that life in the spotlight comes with criticism, and understands that not everyone is going to be a fan.
“It’s OK. I think the biggest and healthiest thing for me to realize is that not every single person will get to know me on a deeper level and still be comfortable with them having opinions on who they think I am. That’s been the hardest part for me,” she added.
Harper Opened up About Balancing Motherhood & Her Music Dreams
When fans first met Harper, she auditioned in front of Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood with a deeply personal tune titled “String Cheese.” The song is about battling postpartum depression and the overwhelming challenges of motherhood.
Harper, a wife and mother to three young children, has been open about how difficult it has been to spend time away from her family while pursuing her dreams, all in hopes of creating a better future and providing even more opportunities for those she loves.
Participating in a Q&A with fans on Instagram in March, Harper was asked, “What do you enjoy LEAST about your life right now?”
“Feeling pulled in too many directions. Some days I wish there were two of me — one who could chase every music dream God has placed in my heart, and another who could stay home and just be the mama she once was,” Harper wrote over a photo of her children asleep.
She also shared that life behind the scenes of Idol wasn’t easy either. “Long hours of hurry up and wait. The hardest part for me is being cooped up in a room, not able to see my husband & babies. I leave before they wake up and don’t get back til they’re in bed,” Harper revealed.
However, Harper is just days away from learning if she will be crowned the next “American Idol.” Harper, and fellow finalists Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough will take the stage one last time during a three-hour finale on Monday, May 11.
