The new American Idol has been crowned. The long-running reality show named its latest winner on May 11, after months of auditions, sing-offs and eliminations.
American Idol returned to screens in January for its 24th season with a fresh batch of singers hoping to follow in the footsteps of past winners Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks.
The season finale aired live on ABC and saw three vocalists — Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough and Keyla Richardson — battling to win. Here’s what you missed from the episode.
Who won ‘American Idol’ 2026?
Hannah Harper was named the winner of American Idol 2026 following a three-hour finale. The 25-year-old singer triumphed over Jordan McCullough, a worship leader from Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Keyla Richardson, a music teacher from Pensacola, Fla.
Harper is a stay-at-home mother of three from Willow Springs, Mo. Before Idol, she balanced music with family life, working as a worship leader for seven years while raising her children. She initially pursued a career in physical therapy but chose to stay home, never expecting to go beyond performing with her family band.
Her path shifted after she began posting videos on TikTok, where fans encouraged her to focus on singing. She auditioned for Idol with “String Cheese,” an original bluegrass gospel song about postpartum depression, which judge Carrie Underwood called “the most relatable song I think I’ve heard.”
The audition video became one of the show’s most viewed clips, garnering more than 120 million views across all platforms.
Harper’s viral fame made her an early frontrunner — this season was notable for allowing fans to vote via social media for the first time — and eventually propelled her to victory. She performed the track again during the finale, along with another self-written song, “Married Into This Town.”
The stay-at-home mother of three rose to fame thanks to a self-titled song called “String Cheese.”
(Eric McCandless via Getty Images)
“You’re a true artist,” judge Luke Bryan told her. “You’ve been a true artist this whole year, from the day that you sang your original song that connected with so many people.”
Speaking to Gold Derby after her win, Harper said: “I hadn’t realized that so many people had heard and connected with that song, but it makes it all worth it.”
She said that she “couldn’t stop crying” following her victory, adding: “Listen, I didn’t know the confetti was falling because I was weeping and when I opened my eye there was like a star stuck in my eyelash.”
Who performed during the finale?
Alicia Keys performed and served as a guest mentor to the finalists, marking her first appearance on Idol since Season 9 in 2010. She sang “Lovin U” with Harper, McCullough and Richardson, and was joined by British singer Raye for a rendition of “Fallin’.”
The show’s judges — Underwood, Bryan and Lionel Richie — took the stage together and sang Richie’s 1986 hit “Deep River Woman.”
Bryan appeared solo to promote his new single, “Fish Hunt Golf Drink.” He also performed a cover of Dwight Yoakam’s “A Thousand Miles From Nowhere” alongside former contestant Julián Kalel.
Alicia Keys, right, mentored the finalists and performed with British singer Raye.
(Eric McCandless via Getty Images)
Underwood — who won Season 4 in 2005 — teamed up with heavy metal veterans Mötley Crüe for a medley of their tracks “Home Sweet Home” and “Kickstart My Heart.”
Other performers included Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, country star Brad Paisley, singer-songwriter Jason Mraz and rapper Nelly.
The star-studded lineup was rounded out by Tori Kelly, En Vogue, Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Lee Ann Womack, Shinedown and Gin Blossoms.