Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
“I think I’m just going to be cheering for you. I love absolutely everything you just performed,” Underwood told stay-at-home mom Hannah Harper.
One of the latest American Idol auditions left Carrie Underwood visibly emotional.
Hannah Harper performed for judges Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie on the February 2 episode, singing an original song titled “String Cheese,” which explores her personal struggle with postpartum depression.
“You’re honestly one of my favorite people,” Underwood, 42, told Harper, 25, before her performance. “You’re wearing homemade clothes and singing a song called ‘String Cheese’—I already love you.”
Harper, a stay-at-home mom from Willow Springs, Missouri, shared the story behind the song. “My youngest is 1, and shortly after he was born, I went through postpartum depression. I was sitting on my couch, telling myself I wouldn’t cry,” she said, her voice trembling.
She explained, “I was having a pity party, praying that the Lord would calm my spirit. My son kept coming to me, saying, ‘Mom, open this. Open my cheese.’ I wanted to be left alone, but I finally opened it and realized that God had placed me right there in that moment. That time in my home was the biggest ministry I could have—as a mom. So I gathered myself, got up off the couch, and stopped feeling sorry for myself. That’s exactly where I wanted to be.”
Harper continued, “I kind of kicked postpartum depression in the butt and said, ‘I’m not doing this anymore,’” tears streaming down her face.
“Do you need a moment?” Underwood asked, handing her tissues. “I can’t cry and sing at the same time, so I don’t want to put you in that spot.”
Once Harper began her performance, she sang about navigating motherhood while caring for herself amid the chaos of everyday life, cherishing the moments with her children even during overwhelming times.
“I thought finding peace in the quiet was what I wanted / But I’d do anything to go back to being needed / To those days I want to cry, run away and cry / But I’d worry about their every need,” Harper sang. “When I’m overwhelmed, they climb onto the couch / Saying, ‘Mama, can you open my string cheese?’ / I smile because meeting their needs fills my soul / Being their mama is who I’m meant to be.”
Underwood was moved to tears as the performance concluded. “Do you have more tissues? My turn,” she joked. “That’s probably the most relatable song I’ve ever heard.”
A mother of two sons, Isaiah and Jacob, Underwood has previously opened up about her own motherhood challenges. In 2018, she revealed that she experienced three miscarriages before having her younger son.
“You might be my favorite person to walk through these doors in the past few days,” Underwood told Harper. “You’re beautiful, and your voice has a simplicity that’s rare. I’ll be thinking about what song you’ll sing next.”
Underwood added, “I feel like I’m just going to be rooting for you. I love absolutely everything about your performance. My vote is a yes.”
Richie and Bryan also approved Harper to move forward. “You are going to Hollywood Week,” Underwood confirmed.