Hannah Harper has become one of the most beloved contestants in recent American Idol history — and not just because of her stunning country voice. The 25-year-old singer from Willow Springs, Missouri, has captured hearts with her raw honesty about motherhood, faith, and the unwavering support of her husband standing right beside her through it all. So who exactly is the man behind this rising star? Here is everything you need to know about Hannah Harper’s husband and her beautiful family.
Who Is Hannah Harper’s Husband?
Hannah Harper’s husband is Devon Mendenhall. The couple first appeared together on Devon’s Instagram page in July 2017, and they made things official when they tied the knot on April 7, 2018 — when Hannah was just 18 years old. Devon is best described, in his own words, as a “fishing addict.” His Instagram page is packed with outdoor adventures, fishing trips, and candid family moments with his kids.
Devon has been openly supportive and affectionate toward Hannah on social media. In one memorable post, he gushed about her smile, writing that it was so bright it could “burn your retina” — which tells you everything about how he feels about his wife.
Devon Mendenhall: The Man Behind Hannah’s Journey
While Hannah has been in the spotlight on American Idol Season 24, Devon has been the quiet backbone of the family back home in Missouri. During her time on the show, Hannah opened up about just how much Devon sacrificed to make her dream possible. She revealed that the hardest part of the Idol journey was being away from her family — leaving before her boys woke up and returning after they were already asleep.
Devon took over the full responsibilities of parenting their three young sons while Hannah chased her dream on national television. Hannah dedicated her finale performance of Alicia Keys’ “No One” to her husband as a heartfelt thank-you for his sacrifices and steadfast support throughout her Idol journey.
Hannah Harper’s Three Kids
Hannah and Devon are proud parents of three sons. Family is at the very core of who Hannah is, and her children have directly shaped her music and her story.
- Jentry — Their firstborn son arrived in April 2019, just one year after their wedding.
- Second son — Hannah has not publicly shared his name, but he arrived in the years following Jentry.
- Third son — Her youngest was just one year old when Hannah auditioned for American Idol in the fall of 2025.
It was the birth of her third child that led to one of the most emotional and viral moments of Season 24. Hannah experienced postpartum depression after welcoming her youngest, and the experience inspired her original audition song, “String Cheese.”
The Story Behind “String Cheese” — A Song Born From Motherhood
Hannah’s audition song “String Cheese” is perhaps the most personal piece of music she has ever written. She described the moment that inspired it on American Idol:
“My youngest is 1 and shortly after he was born I had postpartum depression. I was sitting on the couch wallowing. I was just having a pity party, praying that the Lord would calm my spirit. And my son kept coming up to me saying, ‘Mama, open this. Open my cheese.’ And I finally opened his cheese — and when I did that, God had put me in that place. Being a mom was the biggest ministry I could have. So I got up off the couch and quit throwing a pity party.”
The song resonated deeply with audiences and became a viral hit on TikTok, ultimately reaching #14 on the Billboard Country Digital Songs chart — a rare achievement for an active Idol contestant.
Hannah Harper’s Musical Roots
Long before American Idol, music was already in Hannah’s blood. She grew up in a deeply religious, conservative household and performed in a traveling bluegrass family band called the Harper Family from 2009 to 2016. Her father even quit his job at a lead mine so the family could pursue music full-time, purchasing a 40-foot tour bus and traveling coast-to-coast. The Harper Collective went on to win the SPBGMA International Band Contest in 2010 and recorded two albums for Pisgah Ridge and Crossroads Records.
Hannah’s musical influences include Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and Jo Dee Messina — icons of wholesome country music that her mother allowed her to listen to growing up. In a particularly emotional hometown moment, Hannah was surprised on stage in Willow Springs by none other than Jo Dee Messina herself during her Top 3 homecoming celebration.
Hannah’s Journey on American Idol Season 24
Season 24 of American Idol premiered on January 26 on ABC, with returning judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, and host Ryan Seacrest. Auditions were held exclusively at Belmont University in Nashville, with Hollywood Week also taking place in Nashville under the banner “Music City Takeover.”
Hannah quickly emerged as a fan favorite from her very first audition. Her husband Devon even played guitar alongside her as she performed “String Cheese” for the judges — all three of whom voted “yes” without hesitation. She sailed through Hollywood Week and the Top 20, delivering standout performances week after week.
By the time the finale arrived on May 11, Hannah was widely considered the frontrunner. Competing against Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough, she performed three songs during the three-hour finale — including her original song “Married Into This Town,” which she dedicated to her family. Judge Carrie Underwood was moved to tears, saying she loved that Hannah both started and ended her Idol journey with original songs. Lionel Richie praised her authenticity, while Luke Bryan thanked her for “pouring her heart out week after week.”
Keyla Richardson was eliminated after the first round of live voting, leaving Hannah and Jordan McCullough as the Final 2 competing for the Season 24 title.
A Family Built on Faith, Love, and Music
What makes Hannah Harper’s story so compelling is that she is not just a talented singer — she is a wife and mother who put her own dreams on hold for years to raise her family, and then found the courage to pursue those dreams anyway. Her husband Devon and their three sons are not just her support system; they are the very reason she makes music in the first place.
From the postpartum highs and lows that inspired “String Cheese” to spending Mother’s Day away from her boys while competing in the finale — saying she was “keeping the tissues close and counting down the hours” until she could hold her babies again — every chapter of Hannah’s Idol story has been a family story.
If Hannah Harper’s journey has moved you as much as it has millions of fans across the country, drop a comment below and tell us what your favorite moment of her season was — and stay tuned for what this incredible mom and country artist does next!