“American Idol” viewers and the three judges instantly gravitated towards Missourian native Hannah Harper when she auditioned for the show. A mother of three, Harper chose to sing an original song titled “String Cheese,” which documented her journey with postpartum depression after welcoming her third child.
During her audition, the song immensely resonated with Carrie Underwood, a mom herself, who shed tears during her performance. “That’s the most relatable song I’ve ever heard,” Underwood told Harper.
Harper impressed viewers week after week with her stage presence, storytelling, and relatability, ultimately taking home the “American Idol” crown.
Hannah Harper Shares Why Singing ‘String Cheese’ Was a Risk on ‘American Idol’
Hannah Harper almost didn’t audition with her now viral original tune, “String Cheese” on “American Idol.” Speaking with TV Insider after winning season 24, Harper shared that producers told her it would be a risk to sing an original song in front of Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood.
“They told me to prepare backup because the judges don’t love to hear originals,” she said. “They want to hear something that they’re familiar with, that they’ve heard before. So I had a backup planned and never had to use it. I was really thankful,” Harper added.
Harper revealed that her backup song was a track by Jake Worthington (the runner-up on season 6 of “The Voice”), but shared, “I’m glad I didn’t sing [it] because no one knew it. So it would be the same as singing an original. So I was glad I just went and sang my own song.”
Singing her original song would secure her spot in Hollywood, and she would continue to win over the hearts of fans and the judges week after week. Harper sang “String Cheese” again during the season 24 finale before learning she had won the competition. The now-viral hit has over 1.2 million views on YouTube.
Harper Opened up to the Judges About Her Song
DisneyDuring her audition, Harper vulnerably opened up about the meaning behind her song,” String Cheese,” sharing through tears, “My youngest is one, and shortly after he was born, I experienced postpartum depression.”
After taking a moment for herself, she shared, “I was sitting on my couch wallowing…Everybody wants to touch you, and I didn’t want to be touched. I was just having a pity party, praying that the Lord would calm my spirit, and my son kept coming up to me. He said, ‘Mom, open this. Mom, open this, open my cheese.’ I’m like, ‘Just leave me alone with the daggum cheese.’”
She continued, “And I finally opened his cheese, and when I did, I realized that God had put me in that place, and that where I was in my house was the biggest ministry that I could ever have, in being a mom.”
After her audition, which especially touched Underwood, she told Harper, “You might be my favorite person that’s walked through those doors in the past few days.”
Underwood Praises Harper After Her ‘American Idol’ Win
DisneyUnderwood had been one of Harper’s biggest supporters throughout her Idol journey. In fact, during Disney Week, Underwood shared that she reminded her a lot of herself when she competed on the show.
When Harper took home the crown, the “Before He Cheats” singer shared what ultimately led to her victory, and what gave her the “it” factor.
“I mean, it’s kind of hard when people start talking about like having ‘it’ or having you know, like the total package. I mean, yes, she’s gorgeous, but it’s like she would walk in and it’s this unassuming beauty, you can tell she prioritizes her family,” she said.
She continued, “She’s a really good songwriter, people just relate to her, and all of those things that encompass together is what gives someone it, and she just has it.”
Harper and Underwood will join forces when the Idol winner makes her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on June 2.
