The newest American Idol winner has been revealed.
In the course of the Monday, Might 11, season 24 finale, host Ryan Seacrest introduced that Hannah Harper acquired essentially the most votes from viewers. Jordan McCullough was revealed to be the runner-up, with Keyla Richardson coming in third place.
“After a nationwide vote and an unimaginable season, the winner of American Idol 2026 is Hannah Harper,” Seacrest introduced within the finale’s climactic second.
The Idol finale began off with the ultimate three every singing a observe in honor of visitor mentor Alicia Keys. Harper carried out Keys’ 2007 hit “No One,” whereas Richardson coated 2009’s “Un-Thinkable (I’m Prepared)” and McCullough took on the 2003 track “If I Ain’t Received You.”
Carrie Underwood/Instagram Carrie Underwood is sharing the great, the unhealthy and the ugly of life on a farm. “My aim is to simply do as a lot as I can myself,” Underwood, 43, solely instructed Us Weekly at American Idol’s Taylor Swift night time on Monday, April 27. “I like it. It’s a problem, and it’s irritating, […]
“Your voice sound lovely and tender and like a lullaby,” choose Luke Bryan instructed Harper. “Your voice is like strolling within the outside. It’s like strolling by way of an exquisite backyard. You’re true artist.”
The second spherical was a salute to every finalist’s hometown, with Harper choosing the unique observe “Married Into This City.”
“Congratulations on songwriting, congratulations about being that genuine particular person,” choose Lionel Richie instructed her.
The hometown spherical continued with Richardson’s rendition of “I Love The Lord” and McCullough’s model of “Pricey God.” On the conclusion of the second spherical, Seacrest revealed that Keyla completed in third place general.
The stage was set for a dramatic showdown between the ultimate two, as every received an opportunity to carry out their potential winner’s single — Harper’s “String Cheese” and McCullough’s “Goodness of God.” When the votes have been totaled, Harper was revealed because the 2026 Idol winner.
Harper, 25, is a stay-at-home mother of three from Willow Springs, Missouri. The singer has captivated American Idol followers since she auditioned with an unique track titled “String Cheese,” which explores postpartum melancholy.
McCullough, 27, is a worship director at Zeal Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which is lower than an hour away from Nashville. He beforehand auditioned for The Voice in 2019 however didn’t obtain any chair turns.
Richardson, 29, is a gospel singer born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. Her single “So Good” turned her first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Gospel Airplay chart in 2021.
After making the Prime 5 through the April 27 episode, Harper and Richardson solely instructed Us Weekly that they have been grateful to have the ability to share their religion with America all through the season.
“We each have grown up in church and had the chance to share our testimony, and it was good to have the ability to have it on this platform,” Harper mentioned. “It was an honor.”
American Idol paved the best way for actuality competitors exhibits to assist on a regular basis folks obtain their goals of music stardom. The sequence premiered in 2002 on Fox with a star-studded judging panel consisting of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. American Idol‘s freshman season launched Kelly Clarkson, who would turn out to be the present’s first breakout star. […]
Richardson added, “I grew up within the church. I do know so many songs, so it was form of exhausting to choose, however I wished to choose one thing everybody may relate to. I wished everybody to worship with me. That’s my coronary heart proper there. That’s the place I discover myself in worship numerous occasions. After they mentioned ‘songs of religion,’ that was proper up my alley.”
The musician continued, “I’m glad that we could be open about our religion. I’m glad that everyone is OK with it, and we’re OK with it. … I like God, and that’s who I like.”
Harper, McCullough and Richardson have been voted into the Prime 3 throughout final week’s semi-finals.
Monday night time’s three-hour season finale noticed Keys function a visitor choose alongside Carrie Underwood, Richie and Bryan. The night was additionally full of musical performances from Brad Paisley, Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Nelly, Shinedown, Tori Kelly and extra.
Braden Rumfelt and Chris Tungseth, who have been eradicated within the Prime 5, additionally returned to carry out.
