Hannah Harper Brings ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ To Life On ‘American Idol’ As Jo Dee Messina Reacts

Hannah Harper took on “Heads Carolina, Tails California” during American Idol’s 90s Judges Song Contest episode on Monday, adding her own flair to the beloved country hit, and even earning the stamp of approval from Jo Dee Messina, who was watching from home.

Harper was given three songs to choose from by the judges: “Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton, “Only Love” by Wynonna Judd, and Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” She ultimately chose the country classic, which she had previously performed for Idol producers during her initial audition.

She took the stage with an energetic performance that had the crowd clapping along and even got the judges singing from the panel. While she appeared a bit nervous at first, she powered through and made the song her own, earning praise all around.

Messina documented herself watching from home and joked, “Okay, Hannah, you’re not allowed to sing it better than me!”

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The country hitmaker was especially excited to learn that Carrie Underwood was the judge behind the song choice, adding, “Good choice, Carrie! Good choice!” Harper had initially thought it was Luke Bryan who selected the track.

“That’s what happens when you get the perfect voice with the perfect song and there’s just magic happening all on that stage,” Underwood said. “You sounded so great. I loved the modulation. You looked like you were having fun. I feel like Hannah’s starting to come out of her shell a little bit. We want a little more of that, please.”

Bryan told Harper she did a “great job” and applauded the uptempo song choice.

Meanwhile, Lionel Richie added, “The thing that makes it so wonderful is you just stepped into it and made it yours. I love it.”

Hannah Harper has been a frontrunner in the competition from the moment she won over viewers with her original song “String Cheese.” Since then, she has performed songs like Lee Ann Womack’s “A Little Past Little Rock,” Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” and “At The Cross (Love Ran Red)” by Chris Tomlin. 

Harper is a mom to three boys and spent her childhood performing as part of her family’s bluegrass band, known as The Harper Collective. Her husband, Devon, is supportive of her career and was the one playing guitar during her buzzed-about American Idol audition.   

American Idol returns next Monday, April 13, as the Top 11 take on iconic hits from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees while America votes live to determine the Top 9. The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will also be revealed during the episode.