Photo: ABC, Getty Images
Hannah Harper will perform with country icon Lee Ann Womack during the American Idol season finale.
Harper, 26, a mother of three from Willow Springs, Missouri, replied when asked to list her favorite country artists: “Obviously, Lee Ann Womack is on the top. Her songs, I can — I love singing them. It’s my style of music. That’s the music I want to create now in 2026.”
In a clip shared by American Idol, an off-camera voice reminded Harper that since she made it this far in the competition, she will sing with another artist during the grand finale. That’s when she got to watch a surprise video from Womack, who said:
“Hey, Hannah! Lee Ann Womack here. I hope you’re doing well. Girl, you’re on a whirlwind. You are everywhere, and I’m loving it. I love every clip that I’ve been sent…I love your voice. I love your performance. I love your ‘you.’ I just can’t wait to meet you in person. And it looks like I’m gonna get that chance because you and I are gonna sing together on the American Idol finale, and I’m so excited about it. I’m gonna make a great new friend. We’re gonna make great music, and we’re gonna make great memories. I look forward to it, Hannah.”
Harper gushed, “this is the second time she’s making me cry,” as she watched the video. When she finished watching the message from Womack, Harper tearfully said, “Oh my gosh. I literally just told you that would be the biggest dream. This is crazy. OK, now I’m snottin’ out my face. You set me up! You set me up for that!”
Womack previously reacted to Harper’s rendition of “Never Again, Again.” She wrote in her Instagram caption at the time, “You have a fan in me, [Hannah Harper]! Good luck this season.”
American Idol host Ryan Seacrest teased a star-studded lineup taking the stage during the three-hour finale on Monday, May 11. That lineup includes judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Alicia Keys will mentor the Top 3 and perform during the show. American Idol airs on ABC on Monday at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. It’s available to stream the next day on Hulu.