This year’s winner of American Idol is a 26-year-old Christian mother-of-three who openly shared her faith and passion for worship music throughout the 24th season of the hugely population talent quest watched by millions.
Hannah Harper from a small town in Missouri was crowned the winner this week after singing Chris Tomlin’s At The Cross as her final song.
The runner-up Jordan McCullough is also a Christian and worship leader who performed Goodness of God as his final song.
The third finalist Keyla Richardson gave her rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Love The Lord.
It’s unlikely such overtly Christian songs would have appeared on the secular Australian Idol.
IDOL WINNER IN TEARS AS SHE SINGS ‘AT THE CROSS’
“You deserve to be here for your voice, for who you are as a person, for who you are as a mum, as a daughter, for your songwriting. I’m so proud,” an emotional Christian judge Carrie Underwood told Hannah following her first performance of the night.
The mum who had shared her struggles with postpartum depression became emotional as she closed the season with At The Cross, surrounded on the stage by her fellow contestants and judges
She publicly declared her trust in Christ with the lyrics: “There’s a place where mercy reigns and never dies / Where all the love I’ve ever felt comes like a flood, comes flowing down.”
As Hannah reached the chorus, singing: “At the cross / At the cross / I surrender my life,” she broke down in tears, moved by the Holy Spirit as well as the overwhelming emotions of the moment.
“I’M BEYOND THANKFUL FOR THE DOORS THE LORD HAS OPENED”
Hours after her win, Hannah celebrated the moment in a social media post, thanking fans for supporting her throughout the competition and pointing back to her faith.
“What a wild, beautiful journey this has been. And somehow we’re just getting started,” the Idol winner wrote.
“Thank you to every single person who believed in me, prayed over me, voted for me and helped carry this dream farther than I ever could’ve imagined.”
“I’m beyond thankful for the doors the Lord has opened and for the opportunity to walk this path,” she added before quoting Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you.”
“MOTHERHOOD IS THE GREATEST MINISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN ME”
Hannah consistently spoke throughout the season about the role faith has played in her life and music.
Her audition went viral after she performed String Cheese, an original song inspired by her experience battling postpartum depression.
During the audition, Hannah shared that the song stemmed from a difficult moment with her son that she said ultimately reminded her that motherhood was “the biggest ministry” God had given her.
Carrie Underwood was visibly moved by the performance, calling it “the most relatable song” she had ever heard and praising Hannah’s authenticity and storytelling.
“I HAVE BEEN IN MINISTRY SINCE I WAS NINE YEARS OLD”
Throughout the competition, Hannah continued performing faith-centred music, including during the show’s Songs of Faith episode, when she first sang At the Cross.
In interviews during the season, Hannah said she viewed the national platform as an opportunity to openly talk about her relationship with Jesus.
“I’ve been in ministry since I was nine years old,” Hannah told The Christian Post.
“Having a platform at this level and getting to still be this open about my relationship with the Lord is an incredible honour to me.”
WINNER REVEALS HOW IDOL CONTESTANTS PRAYED TOGETHER BACKSTAGE
Hannah also shared that she and several contestants regularly prayed together backstage during the competition.
“The entire competition in itself is scary, and there’s a lot of spiritual warfare in Los Angeles, and we are like sponges when it comes to that,” she said.
“We feel all of it. So it’s been really nice to have somebody like-minded in that sense to be able to share these moments with me.”
“I think it’s important for people to know you’re never too far gone,” Hannah said.
“He can meet you anywhere … no matter what walk of life you’re in.”
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