Hannah Harper says her biggest supporter did more than cheer from the sidelines. He completely changed his career so she could chase her dream.

The American Idol Season 24 winner revealed that her husband, Devon Mendenhall, left his job in law enforcement after eight years to become her full-time tour manager as her country music career took off following her victory on the hit singing competition.

“My husband was in law enforcement for eight years and put his badge up just so that I could pursue this,” Harper said.

She explained that after leaving law enforcement, Mendenhall briefly worked in insurance while they explored ways to balance work and family life on the road. But as Harper’s schedule became busier, the couple realized they needed a different plan.

“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,'” she recalled.

Harper said sharing both their personal and professional lives has brought them even closer, although it has also created new challenges.

“It has definitely strengthened our marriage in ways that I didn’t even know those muscles worked,” she said.

The biggest adjustment, she admitted, is knowing when to stop working.

“When are off hours?” Harper said. “Normal people go home and they’re done working for the day, but our work is at home. It’s hard for us to turn it off. But it’s so much fun for both of us to be building this together.”

The couple married in April 2018 and are parents to three sons. Harper said her family’s involvement has become one of the most meaningful parts of her success.

“My entire family is on the road with me, both of my brothers, my parents, my kids,” she shared. “It’s so special that everyone has a role and a job, and everyone feels included.”

Reflecting on her husband’s decision to leave his longtime career, Harper became emotional.

“I feel honored that he was willing to step down from his position,” she said. “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.”

Harper’s career has surged since winning American Idol. She is currently on her first national tour and recently landed her first major brand partnership with Sargento after her original song String Cheese went viral during the competition. The company is sponsoring her tour with a custom-wrapped bus stocked with snacks for Harper, her band, crew and family.

As she adjusts to life in the spotlight, Harper also credits fellow American Idol winner Carrie Underwood for helping her navigate fame.

According to Harper, Underwood encouraged her to separate her public persona from her private life.

“I want everyone to feel connected to me and know that I’m real and authentic,” Harper explained. “But there definitely has to be a separation on my stage mask and mom. I’m learning how important it is to take it off and still be mom and still be the Hannah I was before American Idol.”

Harper also reflected on the unexpected impact of String Cheese, a song inspired by her experience with motherhood and postpartum depression. She said the emotional ballad continues to resonate with fans she meets on tour.

“In meet-and-greet lines, there are at least 50 women who walked the exact same path as I did,” Harper said. “Getting to connect with them during their hardships… I relive all of those same emotions while talking to them, and it still feels fresh.”

She believes the song’s influence goes far beyond music.

“I think it’s a song that continues to give,” Harper said. “I didn’t write it on my own. I think the Lord just kind of laid it in my lap, and He’s used it to minister to people as well as me.”

Harper’s first national tour continues through November, with upcoming performances across the United States, including shows alongside Brad Paisley and Lauren Alaina.