Hannah Harper wins American Idol Season 24, first country woman since Underwood

Hannah Harper, a 26-year-old stay-at-home mom from Missouri, was crowned the winner of American Idol Season 24 on Monday night, becoming the first female country singer to claim the title since Carrie Underwood won Season 4.

Harper's victory ends a more than two-decade wait for a female country winner on one of American television's longest-running talent competitions, drawing comparisons to Underwood, now a judge on the show who witnessed the milestone firsthand.

Harper, a mother of three, outlasted Jordan McCullough, a 27-year-old worship director from Tennessee, in the Season 24 finale, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Keyla Richardson, a music teacher from Florida, was eliminated in third place before the final two faced off.

"I just can't even fathom or wrap my head around everything that just happened. It'll hit me, soon, probably," Harper said after receiving the title.

Harper said she plans to tour nearly every weekend from June through September and October. "I didn't care where I was going to place. I knew I was going to hit the ground running as soon as I left here," she said.

Runner-up McCullough reflected on his second-place finish. "I left my heart out on that stage tonight. I just want to live in the moment right now and be present in what's happening. I don't want to move so far ahead that I forget to be grateful for what's happening now," McCullough said.

Judge Carrie Underwood offered her assessment of all three finalists before the decision was announced. "They're all in their own space. They all have different voices. They all have different tools in their tool bags, and there was no wrong answer," Underwood told ABC7.

Host Ryan Seacrest praised the competitors' ability to forge a bond with viewers. "They need to rev up because they've created so much momentum. That's what is hard in this business -- to make that connection emotionally with people, have them pay attention. They've got that. Now, they need to step on it and make something happen, and they will," Seacrest said.

Judge Luke Bryan offered a parting message for Harper and her fellow finalists. "Just go seize the moment. Seize the day. Go work hard. There's no way around not working hard in this business if you're going to be successful," Bryan said.