{"id":239708,"date":"2026-05-12T03:05:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T03:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/who-won-american-idol-season-24-meet-singer-hannah-harper-after-star-studded-finale\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T03:05:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T03:05:41","slug":"who-won-american-idol-season-24-meet-singer-hannah-harper-after-star-studded-finale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/who-won-american-idol-season-24-meet-singer-hannah-harper-after-star-studded-finale\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Won \u2018American Idol\u2019 Season 24? Meet Singer Hannah Harper After Star-Studded Finale"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The latest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/shows\/american-idol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>American Idol<\/em><\/a> winner has been revealed.<\/p>\n<p>During the Monday, May 11, season 24 finale, host <strong>Ryan Seacrest<\/strong> announced that <strong>Hannah Harper<\/strong> received the most votes from viewers. <strong>Jordan McCullough<\/strong> was revealed to be the runner-up, with <strong>Keyla Richardson<\/strong> coming in third place.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter a nationwide vote and an incredible season, the winner of <em>American Idol<\/em> 2026 is Hannah Harper,\u201d Seacrest announced in the finale\u2019s climactic moment.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Idol<\/em> finale started off with the final three each singing a track in honor of guest mentor <strong>Alicia Keys<\/strong>. Harper performed Keys\u2019 2007 hit \u201cNo One,\u201d while Richardson covered 2009\u2019s \u201cUn-Thinkable (I\u2019m Ready)\u201d and McCullough took on the 2003 song \u201cIf I Ain\u2019t Got You.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"link-related article link-related__with-thumb\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"article__thumbnail related-ab-test\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/celebrity-news\/news\/carrie-underwood-details-rewarding-life-on-family-farm\/\" target=\"\" data-source=\"01\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"article__figure\">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"article__content\">\n<h3 class=\"article__title\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"article__title-link related-ab-test\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/celebrity-news\/news\/carrie-underwood-details-rewarding-life-on-family-farm\/\" target=\"\" data-source=\"01\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n    <span class=\"related-badge\">Related: <\/span><span class=\"related-title\">Carrie Underwood Details Life on Family Farm: &#8216;I&#8217;m Covered in Poop&#8217;<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\n\t\t\tCarrie Underwood\/Instagram Carrie Underwood is sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of life on a farm. \u201cMy goal is to just do as much as I can myself,\u201d Underwood, 43, exclusively told Us Weekly at American Idol\u2019s Taylor Swift night on Monday, April 27. \u201cI love it. It\u2019s a challenge, and it\u2019s frustrating, [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cYour voice sound beautiful and tender and like a lullaby,\u201d judge <strong>Luke Bryan<\/strong> told Harper. \u201cYour voice is like walking in the outdoors. It\u2019s like walking through a beautiful garden. You\u2019re true artist.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The second round was a salute to each finalist\u2019s hometown, with Harper opting for the original track \u201cMarried Into This Town.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCongratulations on songwriting, congratulations about being that authentic person,\u201d judge <strong>Lionel Richie<\/strong> told her.<\/p>\n<p>The hometown round continued with Richardson\u2019s rendition of \u201cI Love The Lord\u201d and McCullough\u2019s version of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold\u2019s 2008 track \u201cDear God.\u201d At the conclusion of the second round, Seacrest revealed that Keyla finished in third place overall.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"wpcom-iframe-e85b8e3f316e885be4aa40057394dd7d\" width=\"900\" height=\"700\" scrolling=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.usmagazine.com\/protected-iframe\/e85b8e3f316e885be4aa40057394dd7d\" frameborder=\"0\" class=\"wpcom-protected-iframe\"><br \/>\n\t\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The stage was set for a dramatic showdown between the final two, as each got a chance to perform their potential winner\u2019s single \u2014 Harper\u2019s \u201cString Cheese\u201d and McCullough\u2019s \u201cGoodness of God.\u201d When the votes were totaled, Harper was revealed as the 2026 <em>Idol<\/em> winner.<\/p>\n<p>Harper, 25, is a stay-at-home mom of three from Willow Springs, Missouri. The singer has captivated <em>American Idol<\/em> fans since she <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/entertainment\/news\/who-is-hannah-harper-meet-the-american-idol-season-24-star\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">auditioned with an original song titled \u201cString Cheese,\u201d<\/a> which explores postpartum depression.<\/p>\n<p>McCullough, 27, is a worship director at Zeal Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which is less than an hour away from Nashville. He previously auditioned for <em>The Voice<\/em> in 2019 but did not receive any chair turns.<\/p>\n<p>Richardson, 29, is a gospel singer born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. Her single \u201cSo Good\u201d became her first No. 1 on Billboard\u2018s Gospel Airplay chart in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>After making the Top 5 during the April 27 episode, Harper and Richardson exclusively told <em>Us Weekly<\/em> that they were g<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/entertainment\/news\/american-idol-contestants-talk-faith-through-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rateful to be able to share their faith<\/a> with America throughout the season.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe both have grown up in church and had the opportunity to share our testimony, and it was nice to be able to have it on this platform,\u201d Harper said. \u201cIt was an honor.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"link-related article link-related__with-thumb\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"article__thumbnail related-ab-test\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/entertainment\/pictures\/american-idol-winners-where-are-they-now\/\" target=\"\" data-source=\"01\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"article__figure\">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=400%2C225&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=200%2C113&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=300%2C169&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=400%2C225&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 400w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=600%2C338&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=800%2C450&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 800w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=900%2C506&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 900w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=1000%2C563&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 1000w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=1200%2C675&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=1600%2C900&amp;quality=40&amp;strip=all 1600w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=1800%2C1012&amp;quality=86&amp;strip=all 1800w, https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/American-Idol-Winners-Where-Are-They-Now.jpg?crop=115px%2C0px%2C1787px%2C1010px&amp;resize=1920%2C1080&amp;quality=86&amp;strip=all 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 770px) calc(100vw - 6em), 200px\" alt=\"American Idol Winners Where Are They Now\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"article__content\">\n<h3 class=\"article__title\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"article__title-link related-ab-test\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/entertainment\/pictures\/american-idol-winners-where-are-they-now\/\" target=\"\" data-source=\"01\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n    <span class=\"related-badge\">Related: <\/span><span class=\"related-title\">&#8216;American Idol&#8217; Winners: Where Are Fantasia Barrino and More Now?<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\n\t\t\tAmerican Idol paved the way for reality competition shows to help everyday people achieve their dreams of music stardom. The series premiered in 2002 on Fox with a star-studded judging panel consisting of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. American Idol\u2018s freshman season introduced Kelly Clarkson, who would become the show\u2019s first breakout star. [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Richardson added, \u201cI grew up in the church. I know so many songs, so it was kind of hard to pick, but I wanted to pick something everyone could relate to. I wanted everyone to worship with me. That\u2019s my heart right there. That\u2019s where I find myself in worship a lot of times. When they said \u2018songs of faith,\u2019 that was right up my alley.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The musician continued, \u201cI\u2019m glad that we can be open about our faith. I\u2019m glad that everybody is OK with it, and we\u2019re OK with it. \u2026 I love God, and that\u2019s who I love.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"news-block\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form  \">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/themes\/us-weekly\/assets\/img\/newsletter-bg-narrow.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"newsletter-form__background background-narrow\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/themes\/us-weekly\/assets\/img\/newsletter-bg-wide.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"newsletter-form__background background-wide\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter-signup__success\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<h3>Thank You!<\/h3>\n<p>You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Harper, McCullough and Richardson were voted into the Top 3 during last week\u2019s semi-finals.<\/p>\n<p>Monday night\u2019s three-hour season finale saw Keys serve as a guest judge alongside <strong>Carrie Underwood<\/strong>, Richie andBryan. The evening was also filled with musical performances from <strong>Brad Paisley<\/strong>, Blues Traveler, <strong>Cameron Whitcomb<\/strong>, <strong>Clay Aiken<\/strong>, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, <strong>Jason Mraz<\/strong>, <strong>Lee Ann Womack<\/strong>,<strong> Nelly,<\/strong> Shinedown, <strong>Tori Kelly<\/strong> and more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Braden Rumfelt<\/strong> and <strong>Chris Tungseth<\/strong>, who were eliminated in the Top 5, also returned to perform.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/entertainment\/news\/who-won-american-idol-season-24-meet-singer-hannah-harper\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The latest American Idol winner has been revealed. During the Monday, May 11, season 24 finale, host Ryan Seacrest announced that Hannah Harper received the most votes from viewers. Jordan McCullough was revealed to be the runner-up, with Keyla Richardson coming in third place. \u201cAfter a nationwide vote and an incredible season, the winner of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":239709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-239708","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239708"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239708\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/239709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}