Hannah Harper, a 26-year-old mother of three from Willow Springs, Missouri, has been crowned the newest winner of “American Idol,” ending a season where she openly shared her Christian faith, her battle with postpartum depression, and her love for worship music.
After winning the finale, Harper closed the night in tears with Chris Tomlin’s “At The Cross (Love Ran Red),” singing, “At the cross, at the cross / I surrender my life,” as contestants and judges gathered around her. She later thanked those who “believed in me, prayed over me, voted,” and said she was grateful for “the doors the Lord has opened.”
Throughout the season, Harper made faith central to her story. Her viral original song “String Cheese” came from her experience with postpartum depression and motherhood, which she described as “the biggest ministry” God had given her. She also said it was “an incredible honor” to speak openly about her relationship with the Lord on such a large platform.
Harper said she hopes her story reminds people that “you’re never too far gone,” adding that God “can meet you anywhere … no matter what walk of life you’re in.”
