A 16-year-old American Idol star has shared that he’s expecting a baby with his wife.
Triston Harper, from McIntosh, Alabama, was a top-five finalist on season 22 of the singing competition.
During his audition, he performed Cover Me Up by Jason Isbell while playing the guitar, impressing the judges.
Lionel Richie called his voice “a storytelling voice,” and Katy Perry praised his authenticity, saying he was an “old soul.”
Now, Harper is making headlines again after announcing he’s going to be a dad.
Because the singer is so young, the baby news has caused some controversy. One person said: “Two babies having a baby. They don’t even know how to manage their own lives, much less a baby’s.”
Still, many others have been quick to congratulate Harper on the happy news.
“They both look happy, they have support,” one person said.
Another agreed, saying: “Glad he is married and willing to step into a family role.”
Harper’s rise to fame started when he was young, but his story is even more inspiring because of his tough childhood.
The singer grew up in a difficult home, and things got worse when he was just 11. His mother was in an abusive relationship, and by the time he was 12, they were homeless.
During his audition, Harper shared (per Heavy.com): “My mama wanted us to be something. That’s why I got into music.”
Even after being eliminated from American Idol, Harper has kept working on his music career.
His first single, H.O.P.E., is a tribute to his journey and has been streamed over 383,000 times on Spotify.
Harper announced the baby news on November 8, 2024, by sharing a photo with his wife, Paris Reed, holding a positive pregnancy test.
His mother also commented on the news, saying: “Now everybody has congratulated me on Triston and Paris getting married but to me, that is old news but now I’m bout to be a ‘G Ma.'”
Just two days before the announcement, Harper and Reed officially got married.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
