Watch Jo Dee Messina's Reaction When 'Idol' Contestant Covers Iconic Anthem

Jo Dee Messina shared her reaction when an American Idol contestant covered one of her songs on Monday evening (April 6).

Messina couldn’t contain her excitement when she heard “Heads Carolina, Tails California” begin to play. Hannah Harper, 25, a stay-at-home mother of three from Willow Springs, Missouri, took the stage with Messina’s mega-hit single during Idol’s ‘90s Night.

“OK, Hannah,” Messina said in the reaction clip she shared on Instagram. “You’re not allowed to sing it better than me.”

Messina, who’s gearing up for the next chapter in her career, pointed out that judge Luke Bryan appeared to sing along with Harper’s performance. She applauded, “good choice,” when she learned Carrie Underwood, who returned to the show as a judge 20 years after winning the fourth season in 2005, selected Harper’s song. Messina wrote in her caption: “Oh my gosh! I saw this on [American Idol] tonight! So exciting!!!! Did YOU see it?! Thanks [Carrie Underwood], love you girl! 💜💜💜” Watch Harper's full performance below.

Harper stood out after her viral audition, when she performed an original ballad called “String Cheese.” She’d shared a vulnerable story about overcoming postpartum depression, and “String Cheese” brought Underwood to tears. Bryan said Harper’s voice reminded him of Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Alison Krauss and others. Judge Lionel Richie also applauded the audition, and hoped Harper would look to Parton as an example of expert storytelling that uplifts others.

American Idol airs on ABC on Monday nights from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT. It’s available to stream the next day on Hulu.

Bryan is part of the star-studded lineup of the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival. The show also includes Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Shaboozey, Dylan Scott, Russell Dickerson, Gretchen Wilson, Chase Matthew, Lauren Alaina and special guest George Birge. iHeartRadio's Bobby Bones is returning as the event’s host. The show will take place on May 2 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Tickets to the show are available as of January 23. Fans across the country will be able to catch all the action as the 2026 iHeartCountry Festival will be broadcast live across iHeartCountry stations nationwide and the free iHeartRadio app on Saturday, May 2nd at 8pm ET/5pm PT (7pm CT).