A mother of three from rural Missouri has advanced on “American Idol” after performing an original song inspired by the challenges of early motherhood and postpartum depression.
Hannah Harper, a native of Bunker, Missouri, in Reynolds County, first gained attention for her song “String Cheese,” which she originally shared on social media around Mother’s Day. Almost a year later, she brought the track to the big stage during her audition on American Idol.
The song dives into the repetitive, exhausting rhythm of caring for young children, highlighting the feelings of being overwhelmed and drained because of postpartum depression. With lyrics focused on those everyday moments, “String Cheese” resonated with viewers and judges, helping her move on to the next round of the competition.
Harper, 25, advanced past her initial audition and through Hollywood Week, earning a spot in the show’s “Ohana Round,” filmed at Aulani, a Disney Resort in Hawaii. That round will have contestants performing in groups as the pool narrows to the season’s top 20.
Harper began performing in 2009 at age 9. Her parents both worked traditional jobs at the time, and her father, who worked in a lead mine, decided he wanted a different life for their family. He quit his job, and her parents sold their home and nearly everything in it before buying a tour bus.
Although Harper never sang or played in front of an audience, and was terrified at first, the family went on the road, calling churches and offering special music and services. They continued traveling until 2016.
After coming off the road, the family settled in Birch Tree, Missouri, where her family took positions on a worship team. Harper later met her husband there, and eventually decided to start posting videos of her music online. A recruiter from American reached out to her not after long, a message Harper at first assumed was a scam. After several more attempts from the recruiters, she realized the offer was legit, ultimately leading to her appearance and newfound stardom from the show.
“It’s all gone beyond what I ever imagined,” she said in an interview with Ozarks First.
During her performances, she not only sings but also accompanies on the guitar, leaning into traditional country and bluegrass styles.
Her performances have drawn strong feedback from the judges. Not only did she get high praise from Luke Bryan, but she also made Carrie Underwood cry at her audition, helping propel her through the next round.
Regardless of whether or not Harper goes all the way on the show, she has stood out amongst the competition, and helped build herself a platform that she will be able to take well beyond American Idol.
The next episode is scheduled to air Monday, March 9, as Harper competes for a place among the season’s top 20 contestants.