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  "path": "/entertainment/2026/05/04/american-idol-2026-who-made-the-top-3-season-finale/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-05T04:08:57.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.deseret.com",
  "tags": [
    "American Idol",
    "She was a runner-up on ‘The Voice.’ Now she’s on ‘American Idol’ — but not getting much airtime",
    "He unexpectedly dropped out of ‘The Voice.’ Now he’s competing on ‘American Idol’",
    "Hannah Harper",
    "String Cheese",
    "charted on iTunes",
    "ranked No. 14 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart",
    "Martina McBride",
    "Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth",
    "Deseret News",
    "‘American Idol’ contestant makes Carrie Underwood cry with ‘String Cheese’ — an original song about motherhood",
    "Country star surprises Utah fans with new song about Jesus Christ — and gets a standing ovation",
    "A Broken Wing",
    "Jo Dee Messina",
    "Heads Carolina, Tails California",
    "Mean",
    "Landslide",
    "At the Cross (Love Ran Red",
    "Utah singer on the ups and downs of ‘American Idol’",
    "Footprints in the Sand",
    "Somebody to Love",
    "I Can’t Make You Love Me",
    "Colors of the Wind",
    "I’d Rather Go Blind",
    "Circle of Life",
    "Lover",
    "Zombie"
  ],
  "textContent": "“American Idol” is down to its top three.\n\nOn Monday night, the show eliminated two more singers from the competition and revealed the three singers who will compete in the Season 24 finale.\n\nWith the finale and a new winner just one week away, here’s a look at the top three remaining in the competition.\n\nShe was a runner-up on ‘The Voice.’ Now she’s on ‘American Idol’ — but not getting much airtime\n\nHe unexpectedly dropped out of ‘The Voice.’ Now he’s competing on ‘American Idol’\n\n### Who made the ‘American Idol’ top 3?\n\nHannah Harper\n\nHannah Harper, a mom of three young boys, has been a standout contestant since she went viral with her original song “String Cheese” during her audition.\n\nAfter the emotional audition, Harper’s song about motherhood charted on iTunes — ranking above “Baby Shark” in the children’s music category — and ranked No. 14 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart. The song also earned praise from artists including country legend Martina McBride and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, as the Deseret News previously reported.\n\nNow, Harper has secured her spot in the season’s top three. On Monday night, the singer from Missouri surprised the judges by taking a stylistic departure with Peggy Lee’s jazzy “Fever.”\n\n“I loved that it was not what we expected from you,” Bryan told her.\n\nThroughout her time on “Idol,” Harper has drawn comparisons to artists like Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves and Alison Krauss.\n\n‘American Idol’ contestant makes Carrie Underwood cry with ‘String Cheese’ — an original song about motherhood\n\nCountry star surprises Utah fans with new song about Jesus Christ — and gets a standing ovation\n\nHarper’s performances on “Idol” have included “A Broken Wing”; Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California”; Taylor Swift’s “Mean”; Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide”; and “At the Cross (Love Ran Red).”\n\n**Jordan McCullough**\n\nJordan McCullough isn’t new to reality competition shows.\n\nThe 27-year-old singer from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, previously auditioned for “The Voice” in 2019 but was unable to get a chair turn from a coach during the performance.\n\nNow, several years later, McCullough has made an impressive run on “American Idol.”\n\nThe top three “Idol” contestant and worship leader started his time on the show by singing CeCe Winans’ “Goodness of God.” McCullough, who has been performing in church since he was 4, delivered powerhouse vocals and got a standing ovation from all three judges.\n\n“That’ll wake you up,” Underwood said.\n\n“You have been given an incredible gift and I love that you use it,” the country star continued. “I just had chills pretty much the whole time.”\n\nRichie, meanwhile, said it was “mesmerizing” watching McCullough perform.\n\n“It just felt like worship,” Underwood added. “It didn’t feel forced. It just felt like you were in the moment and we were in the moment with you.”\n\nUtah singer on the ups and downs of ‘American Idol’\n\nMcCullough secured his spot in the top three with a performance of Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand,” which he dedicated to his brothers (he’s the oldest of seven).\n\n“I just see so much in front of you, I see such a bright future,” Bryan told McCullough following the performance. “You’re one of the best singers we’ve ever had.”\n\nOther performances from McCullough on “Idol” have included Queen’s “Somebody to Love”; Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”; and “Colors of the Wind” from “Pocahontas.”\n\n**Keyla Richardson**\n\nKeyla Richardson, a 29-year-old music teacher from Florida, has had her son, Drew, by her side cheering and singing along since her audition.\n\nRichardson wowed the judges with Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” for her audition. After the performance, the judges encouraged Richardson not to give all the power in her voice away at the start and to hold back a little.\n\n“You have a voice that will make people stop in their tracks,” Bryan told her with emotion. “I can’t believe you’re 29 and you hadn’t been in our lives yet. Thank you.”\n\nNow, Richardson has sung her way to the “American Idol” top three thanks to a high-energy performance of Ike and Tina Turner’s “River Deep - Mountain High” Monday night.\n\n“I have to tell you — your vocal range is like a weapon,\" former “Idol” judge Paula Abdul, who was a guest judge Monday night, told Richardson. “You can go from a whisper to a thunderstorm, and it feels like every moment is inevitable, and that’s the mark of a true performer.”\n\nRichardson’s performances throughout her run on “Idol” have included: Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind”; “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King”; Taylor Swift’s “Lover”; and The Cranberries’ “Zombie.”\n\n### What happens next on ‘American Idol’?\n\nThe Season 24 finale of “American Idol” airs Monday, May 11.\n\n“Idol” will reveal the season winner at the end of the three-hour episode, which begins at 7 p.m. MDT on ABC.",
  "title": "These 3 singers just made the ‘American Idol’ finale"
}