Hannah Harper wins ‘American Idol,’ closes finale with worship song, message of faith

Hannah Harper is the newest winner of "American Idol," capping a season in which the Missouri mother-of-three openly shared her Christian faith, struggles with postpartum depression and passion for worship music with millions of viewers. The 26-year-old Willow Springs, Missouri, native was crowned the winner Monday night during the show’s three-hour finale, defeating finalists Jordan McCullough, a worship leader who performed “Goodness of God” as his final song of the night, and Keyla Richardson.Harper performed “Married Into This Town,” teamed with country singer Lee Ann Womack for a duet of “I Hope You Dance,” and revisited her original song “String Cheese,” which went viral following her audition earlier this season. “You deserve to be here for your voice, for who you are as a person, for who you are as a mom, as a daughter, for your songwriting. I'm so proud,” an emotional Carrie Underwood told Harper following her first performance of the night.