Hannah Harper, the 2024 champion of "American Idol," revealed that her husband has transitioned from a nearly decade-long career in law enforcement to become her full-time tour manager. This significant career shift occurred as Harper's music career gained momentum following her "American Idol" victory.
Harper told Fox News Digital that her husband, Devon Mendenhall, "put his badge up" to support her pursuit of country music. "It has definitely strengthened our marriage in ways that I didn't even know those muscles worked," she said. Mendenhall initially worked in insurance before deciding to take on the role of tour manager when Harper's music schedule became too demanding.
Supporting a Growing Music Career
The decision came as Harper's schedule intensified after winning "American Idol." The couple sought a way to keep their family together while managing an increasingly busy touring calendar. Harper is currently on her first national tour, which is sponsored in part by Sargento. This partnership emerged after her original song, "String Cheese," gained viral popularity during her "American Idol" run.
"My husband was in law enforcement for eight years and put his badge up just so that I could pursue this," Harper explained. "And he was doing insurance there for a little while. We were going to try to just do, like, a work-on-the-road kind of thing. And then music just got too busy. And he was like, 'You know what? I think I want to be tour manager.' And I was like, 'That's perfect. I think you should do that.'"
Harper acknowledged that working together presents its own set of challenges. "I think the biggest challenge now is because we're both working is, ‘Ok, when are off hours?’ You know, like when normal people go home, they're done working for the day, but our work is at home. And so, it's hard for us to be able to turn it off. But it's so much fun for both of us to be building this together."
Family Support on the Road
Mendenhall and Harper, who married in April 2018, have three sons. Harper noted that her entire family, including her parents and brothers, travels with her on tour. "My entire family is on the road with me, both of my brothers, my parents, my kids. And I think it's so special that everyone has a role and a job, and everyone feels included."
Harper expressed deep gratitude for her husband's sacrifice. "But more than anything, I feel honored that he was willing to step down from his position. A lot of men wouldn't do that. I think their pride would get in the way, and that man would bend over backwards for anything that I asked him to do."
Navigating Fame and Authenticity
Harper also shared advice she received from fellow "American Idol" alum Carrie Underwood on navigating the pressures of fame. "Carrie, just saying like social media, the stage presence that one has to have, it's like a character basically, and you have to separate that character from reality, which is hard for me because I want them to be the same," Harper said.
"I want everyone to feel connected to me and know that I'm real and authentic, but there definitely has to be a separation on my stage mask and mom, if that makes sense. And so, I'm learning that very quickly and how important it is to be able to take it off and still be Mom and still be the Hannah I was before 'American Idol.'"
The Impact of 'String Cheese'
The singer reflected on the unexpected impact of her song "String Cheese," which was inspired by her experiences with motherhood and postpartum depression. Harper described the song as an anthem for parents and a source of deep emotional connection for those who relate to its message.
"In meet-and-greet lines... there are at least 50 of those are women who walked the exact same path as I did when it came to postpartum depression or just being in the trenches of motherhood," Harper said. "And getting to connect with them during their hardships... I relive all of those same emotions while talking to them and it still feels fresh."
Harper believes the song's reach extends beyond the music industry. "And I think that it's a song that continues to give, and I didn't write it on my own. I think the Lord just kind of like laid it in my lap, and He's used it to minister to people as well as me."
Harpers is continuing her first national tour through November, with scheduled appearances alongside artists such as Brad Paisley and Lauren Alaina.