Carrie Underwood was seen wiping away tears after watching a contestant’s audition on American Idol, a moment that instantly caught viewers’ attention. In a preview from season 24, she opens up about why the performance affected her so deeply…

The clip, released ahead of the season premiere on January 26, 2026, shows Underwood, now in her second year as a judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, reaching for a tissue to dab at her eyes. The emotional trigger? An original song performed by contestant Hannah Harper, a mother of three sons whose lyrics laid bare the raw, beautiful chaos of parenthood.

As Hannah took the stage, she shared a brief but powerful backstory: the challenges of raising her boys, including struggles with postpartum depression after her third child. Then she launched into her self-penned ballad, pouring out lines like “To those days I wanna cry, being their mama is who I’m meant to be.” The words struck a universal chord—honest about the exhaustion, the tears, the overwhelming love—but also celebratory of the purpose found in motherhood. Her voice carried the weight of lived experience, rising with emotion that filled the audition room.

Underwood, seated between her fellow judges, visibly moved. As the final notes faded, she wiped tears streaming down her cheeks. When the cameras turned to her for feedback, she spoke through a soft, trembling voice: “Well, that’s about the most relatable song I’ve ever heard.” The admission came from a place of deep personal resonance. Underwood, a mother of three boys herself—Isaiah (born 2015), Jacob (2019), and a third child welcomed in recent years—has been open about the realities of balancing fame, family, and the demands of her career. The song’s unflinching portrayal of maternal highs and lows mirrored her own journey, making the moment feel intimate rather than performative.

This wasn’t Underwood’s first emotional reaction on the show. Since joining as a judge in season 23 (2025), she has brought a unique perspective: a former Idol winner herself (season 4 in 2005), she understands the vulnerability of standing in that spotlight. Her empathy often shines through when contestants share stories of family, loss, or perseverance. In season 23, she teared up during Breanna Nix’s cover of “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” especially poignant with Nix’s young son asleep on Underwood’s lap during the performance. Another moment saw her quietly emotional over a singer whose grandparents raised him, a story that echoed themes of family support she holds dear.

But the Hannah Harper preview stands out for its immediacy. The original song wasn’t a cover of one of Underwood’s hits; it was a fresh, deeply personal creation that spoke directly to the shared experience of motherhood. Underwood’s tears weren’t just about the performance’s quality—they were about recognition. As a public figure who has navigated postpartum challenges, the pressures of touring while raising children, and the constant scrutiny of being a role model, she connected on a level that transcended the stage. Her reaction reminded viewers that even superstars feel the weight of everyday struggles.

The clip spread quickly across social media and entertainment outlets. Fans praised Underwood’s authenticity, noting how refreshing it was to see a judge moved to genuine tears rather than manufactured drama. Comments flooded in: “Carrie gets it because she lives it,” one viewer wrote. Others highlighted the power of Hannah’s song, calling it a reminder that motherhood’s challenges are universal, even for those who seem to have it all. The moment also spotlighted Underwood’s growth as a judge. In her first season, she balanced critique with encouragement, often drawing from her own Idol experience to offer practical advice. Now, in season 24, she appears more comfortable in her role, allowing vulnerability to surface naturally.

Hannah Harper’s audition itself was a standout. Her voice carried strength and warmth, blending country roots with heartfelt storytelling. The judges were unanimous in their praise, with Richie calling the lyrics “real and raw,” Bryan commending the melody’s catchiness, and Underwood emphasizing its relatability. Harper advanced to Hollywood Week, her story and song leaving a lasting impression. For Underwood, the encounter served as a mirror—reflecting back the joys and hardships she knows intimately.

As season 24 unfolds, Underwood’s emotional openness is likely to be a recurring theme. She has spoken about how judging Idol feels like coming full circle. Winning the show launched her career, turning a small-town Oklahoma girl into a global superstar with 8 Grammys, millions of records sold, and a legacy of empowering anthems. Now, sitting at the judges’ table, she gets to witness that spark in others. Her tears over Hannah’s performance weren’t a sign of weakness; they were proof of empathy forged through real life. Motherhood, like music, demands everything—and Underwood’s reaction showed she understands that better than most.

The preview clip has already become one of the most shared moments leading into the new season. It captures something rare on reality television: authentic human connection. In a show built on dreams and high notes, Underwood’s tears reminded everyone that the most powerful performances often come from truth. Hannah’s song about crying through motherhood but choosing it every day resonated because it spoke to the quiet battles many fight in private. Underwood’s response—wiping away tears while calling it the most relatable thing she’d ever heard—turned a simple audition into a shared moment of understanding.

As American Idol season 24 kicks off, viewers can expect more of this raw honesty from Underwood. Her presence brings a grounded, maternal energy to the panel, balancing Bryan’s humor and Richie’s wisdom. And when a performance hits close to home, she doesn’t hide it. She lets it show. In doing so, she proves that strength isn’t about holding back emotion—it’s about feeling it fully and sharing it openly. Hannah Harper’s audition didn’t just earn her a ticket to Hollywood; it earned a tear from one of country music’s biggest stars, reminding millions that the most relatable songs are the ones that speak straight to the heart.