Carrie Underwood is very accustomed to being a superstar singer and former American Idol victor. That is along with being a wife to husband Mike Fisher and mom of two young sons. So she is well-qualified to pitch some advice to the new Idol winner, Hannah Harper. Harper, 25, was chosen as the season 24 champ on Monday, May 11. With her gorgeous, velvety voice and ironclad poise, Harper is a surefire fan-favorite in the making. She is the first female country artist to land the first-place prize on Idol in 21 years - since Carrie Underwood achieved the feat in 2005.
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Hannah Harper immediately won people's hearts with her stunning original song, "String Cheese." It's about post-partum depression. The song went viral because so many viewers could relate to her struggles as a young mother. Carrie Underwood graciously passed along some valuable wisdom to Harper from her own experience as a mom and performer.
Underwood Praised Harper Warmly
Per People, the Idol judge admitted she thinks very highly of Harper. "I've been a stan for Hannah since the beginning. There's something about her that's so relatable and I feel like in the end that's why people voted her. They're just like, 'I see a bit of myself in her' and you just want to root for her."
Underwood added that her pointers to the new winner would be focused on "being a mother in the business." She continued, "I've done things well, I've done things terribly. She's a really great songwriter and she's proven that time and time again. She's already got material, which is half the battle. I'm excited to see what she does and where she goes."
Harper Is Still Adjusting To Being the Winner
Coming in first on a show like American Idol is truly life-altering. It means you are part of a cultural tradition that includes standouts like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, who was the first champ. Harper is still wrapping her head around the reality and magnitude of it. Her existence and career will never be the same.
Per the outlet, Harper exclaimed, "It doesn't feel like real life. I'm still waiting to wake up. It's crazy."
