The latest American Idol winner has been revealed.
During the Monday, May 11, season 24 finale, host Ryan Seacrest announced that Hannah Harper received 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 incredible season, the winner of American Idol 2026 is Hannah Harper,” Seacrest announced in the finale’s climactic moment.
The Idol finale started off with the final three each singing a track in honor of guest mentor Alicia Keys. Harper performed Keys’ 2007 hit “No One,” while Richardson covered 2009’s “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” and McCullough took on the 2003 song “If I Ain’t Got You.”
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“Your voice sound beautiful and tender and like a lullaby,” judge Luke Bryan told Harper. “Your voice is like walking in the outdoors. It’s like walking through a beautiful garden. You’re true artist.”
The second round was a salute to each finalist’s hometown, with Harper opting for the original track “Married Into This Town.”
“Congratulations on songwriting, congratulations about being that authentic person,” judge Lionel Richie told her.
The hometown round continued with Richardson’s rendition of “I Love The Lord” and McCullough’s version of “Dear God.” At the conclusion of the second round, Seacrest revealed that Keyla finished in third place overall.
The stage was set for a dramatic showdown between the final two, as each got a chance to perform their potential winner’s single — Harper’s “String Cheese” and McCullough’s “Goodness of God.” When the votes were totaled, Harper was revealed as the 2026 Idol winner.
Harper, 25, is a stay-at-home mom of three from Willow Springs, Missouri. The singer has captivated American Idol fans since she auditioned with an original song titled “String Cheese,” which explores postpartum depression.
McCullough, 27, is a worship director at Zeal Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which is less than an hour away from Nashville. He previously auditioned for The Voice in 2019 but did not receive any chair turns.
Richardson, 29, is a gospel singer born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. Her single “So Good” became her first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Gospel Airplay chart in 2021.
After making the Top 5 during the April 27 episode, Harper and Richardson exclusively told Us Weekly that they were grateful to be able to share their faith with America throughout the season.
“We both have grown up in church and had the opportunity to share our testimony, and it was nice to be able to have it on this platform,” Harper said. “It was an honor.”
American Idol paved the way for reality competition shows to help everyday people achieve their dreams of music stardom. The series 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 introduced Kelly Clarkson, who would become the show’s first breakout star. […]
Richardson added, “I grew up in the church. I know so many songs, so it was kind of hard to pick, but I wanted to pick something everyone could relate to. I wanted everyone to worship with me. That’s my heart right there. That’s where I find myself in worship a lot of times. When they said ‘songs of faith,’ that was right up my alley.”
The musician continued, “I’m glad that we can be open about our faith. I’m glad that everybody is OK with it, and we’re OK with it. … I love God, and that’s who I love.”
Harper, McCullough and Richardson were voted into the Top 3 during last week’s semi-finals.
Monday night’s three-hour season finale saw Keys serve as a guest judge alongside Carrie Underwood, Richie and Bryan. The evening was also filled with 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 more.
Braden Rumfelt and Chris Tungseth, who were eliminated in the Top 5, also returned to perform.
