Every year, American Idol provides us with real-life stories that inspire us. The beauty of the show is that every contestant is relatable. They come from the same cities as us. Have faced the same hardships, hurdles and challenges. It just so happens that some of them can sing, and I mean really sing.
That’s the case for Hannah Harper, who is a contestant on season 24 of the hit reality TV show.
A recent clip of Harper’s audition has gone viral online, as she details her battle with postpartum depression following the birth of her third child.
“I have three little boys. After I had my youngest, I had postpartum depression,” Harper said. “I remember being on the couch. They were all crying at the same time. All I wanted was to be a mom, and I couldn’t do it. I was praying that the Lord would calm my spirit. I got up off my couch and I wrote this song.”
The video then shows Harper explaining what led her to write her own song and perform it in front of the judges. And, while we don’t know how the audition wound up going, we did get to see a short clip of Carrie Underwood being moved to tears.
“Well that’s just about the most relatable song I’ve ever heard,” Underwood said.
For the millions of American Idol fans who will be watching at home, Harper’s story will be new. But those who have followed her on social media, will be familiar with the battle she’s faced.
Haper posted about her battle with postpartum on Instagram on May 11, 2025, also revealing what led to her writing the song that she’s now named “String Cheese.”
“A few months ago, I found myself in a trench, overwhelmed by laundry and dishes,” Harper wrote. “It was 4 PM when I realized I hadn’t eaten all day because I was so focused on meeting everyone else’s needs. I sat on the couch and threw myself a pity party, but then the Lord reminded me of my purpose here on earth as my baby crawled into my lap, wanting me to open his snack.”
She then continued to explain how the challenges she’s faced helped her find the word for her song.
“I am incredibly thankful that the Lord entrusted me with three little boys. Even on the heavy days when being a mom feels like a challenge,” she continued. “I’m excited to share that “String Cheese” is now available on all streaming platforms. I hope it resonates with your heart.”
We don’t know whether Harper will make it onto the next round. But judging by the video online, and the reaction from Underwood, there’s a chance she could be a real threat in this year’s competition.
