American Idol Star Becomes Dad at 17 After Shotgun Wedding at 16

American Idol alum Triston Harper became a dad at 17 years old just months after his shotgun wedding to his girlfriend.

Last week, the former contestant and his now-wife Paris Reed welcomed their first child together shortly after tying the knot.

His mother Hattie Mae Sullivan confirmed the news in a Facebook post on the evening of June 23 and revealed the young couple named their baby girl Brenley Lichelle Harper.

‘Everybody my Grand Baby has made her Grand Entrance …. weighing a solid 6lbs and 6 ounces,’ she wrote. 

‘Brenley Lichelle Harper Has now arrived on the scene and she ain’t here to play,’ she continued.

About eight months ago, the singer — who was eliminated from the ABC competition series right before the season finale — revealed he tied the knot with his then-pregnant girlfriend. 

American Idol alum Triston Harper became a dad at 17 years old just months after his shotgun wedding to his girlfriend.

Last week, the former contestant and his now-wife Paris Reed welcomed their first child together

His mother Hattie Mae Sullivan confirmed the news in a Facebook post on the evening of June 23 and revealed the young couple named their baby girl Brenley Lichelle Harper

Harper’s mom shared insight into life as a new grandmother after welcoming their newest family member.

‘She’s already in boss mode!!!!! Feed me, Change me, Cut that bright light out. Yes ma’am whatever you want G MA is gonna make it happen!!!!!’

Back in May, Harper shared a Mother’s Day post dedicated to both his wife and his mom. 

‘I want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to these two beautiful women,’ he wrote alongside a photo of him and Reed at their gender reveal as well as a snap of him and his mom posing in front of an American Idol sign. 

Last year, Harper got married and was preparing to become a dad at just 16 years old.

He announced the news on Facebook, claiming he had tied the knot with his pregnant girlfriend, 17-year-old Paris Reed.

Back in November 2024, the singer — who was eliminated from the ABC competition series right before the season finale — shared a post with his fans announcing that he tied the knot with his now-wife: ‘Iv got big news harpies [sic].’

Two days later, his mother Sullivan revealed that the couple are expecting their first child together.

She posted a selfie that Harper took with his new wife as they posed with a positive pregnancy test.

About eight months ago, the singer — who was eliminated from the ABC competition series right before the season finale — revealed he tied the knot with his then-pregnant girlfriend

Last year, Triston got married and was preparing to become a dad at just 16 years old; pictured in February 2024 still

He announced the news on Facebook and said he had tied the knot with his pregnant girlfriend, 17-year-old Paris Reed 

‘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”,’ she captioned the post happily. 

Harper appeared on American Idol during season 22, which aired earlier this year.

The Alabama native wowed judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie with his audition, as well as the story of his difficult childhood on the ABC singing competition series. 

‘By the age of 11 years old, my mom was with my stepdad. He was getting very abusive,’ he said.

‘We had to leave McIntosh [Alabama], then everything, it went sideways, just like that,’ he shared in a video package that aired on the show during his audition. 

‘The lowest part of my life was when me and my mom had [become] homeless and were sleeping on the sidewalk,’ he said. ‘I had just turned 12.’ 

Harper added: ‘I never thought I’d be able to tell my story to American Idol, ever. It makes me happy just thinking about it.’ 

After his audition, the judges praised him and also gave him constructive criticism about his singing technique.

‘Anything that you’re doing technically-wise singing is because you’re 15,’ Bryan told him.

‘If I could have an afternoon with you and just say, “Don’t do that anymore,” just like, “Don’t do those two things,” and man, I mean, you’re just …” he continued before Perry cut him off.

On November 6, the singer shared a post with his fans that he tied the knot with his now-wife: ‘Iv [sic] got big news harpies’

Two days later, his mother, Hattie Mae Sullivan, shared a photo of the couple as they revealed they are expecting their first child together

Harper appeared on American Idol during season 22, which aired earlier this year; pictured April in American Idol still

Throughout the competition series, he became one of the show’s top five contestant as well as a fan-favorite, but he was eliminated alongside Emmy Russell in May. Later that same month, he released his debut single H.O.P.E.; pictured March in American Idol still

‘You’re a shotgun. Just watch where you’re aiming it.” 

Then, the judges brought in his mother when they told him he was going to Hollywood.

Throughout the competition series, he became one of the show’s top five contestant as well as a fan-favorite, but he was eliminated alongside Emmy Russell in May. 

Abi Carter ended up winning the season.

Later that same month, he released his debut single H.O.P.E. 

On the show, Harper garnered fans with his talent as well as when he opened up about his childhood on the show.