AMERICAN IDOL Winner Warned Not to Sing Now-Viral Original Song

Published: May 20, 2026

Microphone for singing and comedy — Photo by Matthias Wagner on Unsplash

By Michaela Gordoni

AMERICAN IDOL Season 24 winner Hannah Harper went viral with her original audition song, “String Cheese” — but she was warned not to sing it.

“They told me to prepare backup because the judges don’t love to hear originals,” Harper told TV Insider. “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,” she said.

Her backup song was one by Jake Worthington, which is not well-known. She’s glad she didn’t have to sing it.

When Harper performed her original song about postpartum depression, judge Carrie Underwood told her she was her favorite person. Harper has loved having Underwood’s support through her journey as a singer.

“Carrie was really encouraging,” the mom of three admitted. “She relates. She was just like, ‘Anything you need in the industry, I want to be available, help you with whatever you need.’ That was really nice.”

Harper has credited God for her IDOL journey and referred to her faith several times throughout the competition.

Harper sang Chris Tomlin’s “At The Cross (Love Ran Red)” for IDOL 24’s “Songs of Faith” episode. Prior to that, she sang, “Ain’t No Grave” by Bethel Music & Molly Skaggs.

After the episode aired, Tomlin told Harper on his Instagram story, “Hi @Hannah Harper, you sounded amazing last night. At The Cross… so honored you would choose that one to sing…God bless you.”

After her “At The Cross (Love Ran Red)” performance, Harper shared, “Another night of worship and I’m still just…overwhelmed. The Spirit was THICK in that room tonight. Thank each and every one of you who took the time to vote for me it truly means more than I could ever put into words.”

She added, “Psalm 34:3 ‘Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.’ 🤍”

Before she took home the title, she revealed that she’s had a hard time with instant stardom.

“It’s overwhelming,” Harper said. “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.”

Despite that, she’s loved her time on the show.

“Last year around this time, I was bathing the idea of pursuing a solo career in country music in prayer,” she wrote on social media. “I didn’t want to tread on ground that wasn’t appointed for my feet. And boy, let me tell you … This is ground I never imagined myself standing on — but when He opened the door, I ran through it, and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads🤍.”

Harper hopes to make more emotional and deep music like “String Cheese” now that she has a new record deal.

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