Judges In Shock After He Reveals His Age On American Idol!

Tell us who you are, where you're from. My name is Tristan Harper and I'm from McIntosh, Alabama. McIntosh, Alabama. How old are you? Fifteen. Fifteen! Oh my God. Come on, man. Stop it. I have been out-country'd by... A fifteen-year-old. Tell us your story. Well, you know, I grew up in a small town. I've been through a lot in my life. I grew up right here since I was born, basically. I wouldn't trade McIntosh for nothing. There just ain't no place like home in our town, really. You know, we're Choctaw Indians. We're so proud of Tristan being honored to appear on American Idol. And we hope that you'll be the winner in this competition. That we can say that we had someone. My mama wanted us to be something. That's why I got into music. Was it nice growing up? You have your ups and downs, at least I had. By the age of eleven years old, my mom was with my stepdad. He was getting very abusive. We had to leave McIntosh. Then everything, it went sideways, just like that. The lowest part of my life was when me and my mom had got home from sleeping on the sidewalk. I had just turned twelve. Life has been hard. Life has been really hard. That's one of the reasons why he is so mature like he is. Because he's had to take on a role at a very young age. You know, it was not easy with me watching my mom sit there and cry at night, you know, and not knowing what to do. I'd got to that point where I said, God, I need you to help me. My papa, he drove all the way from Alabama to Arkansas, nonstop, to come and get us. I'm just so proud, boy. Yep, real proud. Just don't forget your roots. You know why? Where you come from. I never thought I'd be able to tell my story to America, ever. It makes me happy just thinking about it. I think that that story alone is about as compelling as it's going to get, right? So I just want to get right to the goods. And I'm just going to say this out loud. Please, God, sing, OK? Give it to us. A hard owner keeps her hand on a gun, can't trust anyone. Well, I was so sure what I needed was more. Try to shoot out the sun. In days when we raced, we flew off the pitch, such damage was done. But I made it through because somebody knew that I was meant for someone. So girl, leave your boots by the bed. We ain't leaving this room. There's someone in medical help for the magnolias bloom. So now I ain't going out to chop wood. So cover me up and know you're enough to use me for good. I'm going to give it to you. Thank you. Your voice, you got it. Thank you. When you go into telling a story, you've got us right here. The purity of your verses, the purity of the B part going into the hook, killer. Make sure we know what that story is because your voice is a storytelling voice. Yes, sir. You were so authentic, so connected to yourself, singing from your soul. It wasn't perfect, but it resonated with me. It was really good. Thank you. I'm impressed for 15. Thank you. That's the part I'm looking at. Anything that you're doing technically wise singing is because you're 15. I could have an afternoon with you and just say, don't do that anymore. Just like don't do those two things. Yeah. And man, I mean, you're just. You're a shotgun. Thank you. Just watch where you're aiming it. Where's mom? Oh yeah. Mom, who came with you? My mom, my little brother and my grandparents and my two aunts. Okay, mom. Come here for a second. You want your mom to come in? Yes, sir. Let's bring your mother in. How you doing, mama? All right. We need you front and center with this young man. He's 15. He's already taller than you, right? What is your name, by the way? Hattie Mae. Y'all are country, right? Between his voice and your name, I would say you got all the country cred checked. Right. So I can finally give you the results. I'm a yes. And I'm a yes. And that means you're going to Hollywood.