Being a superstar is hard, but being a superstar mom of three is even harder. This week on American Idol, everyone’s favorite “Idol Mom,” Hannah Harper, took the stage for Disney Night. While she looked like a princess, fans and judges noticed something that suggested the pressure of the Top 7 might finally be reaching a breaking point.
Hannah chose to sing a very fitting song, “Almost There,” from the movie The Princess and the Frog. This song, originally performed by Anika Noni Rose, is about a girl who works day and night to make her dreams come true. When it first came out in 2009, it became a huge hit because it’s so uplifting. For Hannah, the lyrics felt very real—she is almost there to winning it all, but you could see the exhaustion in her eyes.
Even though her voice sounded like a dream, the judges noticed that something was “off.” Jennifer Hudson, a guest mentor that night, gave Hannah some very tough notes on her movement. She wanted Hannah to own the stage, but Hannah seemed a bit stuck. The most shocking moment came when Lionel Richie spoke up. He didn’t just talk about her singing; he noticed she looked very uncomfortable. He realized she was struggling in her high heels and told her she should have practiced more in her “performance shoes.”
Despite the struggle with her shoes and the judges’ warnings, the audience still loved it. People at home relate to Hannah because she is working so hard for her kids. She proved that she is a fighter, even if she’s doing it in uncomfortable heels!
So, can Hannah push through the pain and make it to the finale? Or is the stress of the competition becoming too much to handle? We are all rooting for her, but one thing is for sure: she truly is “almost there!”
Follow American Idol to keep track of her journey!