Where Are They Now? Triston Harper, From Homeless Teen to ‘American Idol’ Star

Triston Harper has had a whirlwind year to say the least. Since finishing in the top five of American Idol‘s 22nd season, the teen hasn’t had a spare moment.

Fans fell for Harper’s country twang when he auditioned for Idol when he was just 15. More than that, though, Harper pulled out viewers’ heartstrings with his life story.

While auditioning for the show, Harper revealed that, after experiencing abuse at the hands of his stepfather, he and his mom wound up homeless. He was 12 at the time.

 “It makes me happy just thinking about it,” Harper said of being able to share his story with American Idol viewers.

Eventually, he made his way to Idol, where he performed tracks including “God’s Country,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” and “Sand in My Boots.” He was eliminated after making it the top five, and Abi Carter went on to win the season.

Triston Harper’s Life After American Idol

After his stint on Idol, Harper released a single called “H.O.P.E.” He performed at CMA Fest, released a track titled “Wrapped Up in Jesus,” and teased other music on the way.

Perhaps the biggest update, however, came in Harper’s personal life. The singer, who’s now 16, revealed in November that he married his girlfriend, Paris Reed. Shortly thereafter, Harper announced that he and Reed are expecting their first child.

“I just felt my baby kick for the first time and I can’t even express in words the way it has made me feel,” he wrote on Facebook in February. “Everyday that I wake up I look over to my wife and I think to myself how did I get so lucky to have a wife that is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.”

“My wife is carrying my baby and taking every step that I take, making sacrifices, riding in a vehicle for hours and hours and helping my mama sell merchandise and look for venues for me to perform,” he added. “I may not have a mansion, nor a 100 acres of land but I am content.”

Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless