Trent Harmon

American Idol

Harmon auditioned for American Idol in Little Rock, Arkansas, in August 2015.^[8] He told the judges about growing up on a farm and sang "Unaware", a r&b song by Allen Stone.^[7] Harmon was the first r&b singer shown to be accepted by the judges for the season.^[7] Later in the season it was revealed that Harmon kept a leather-bound journal writing down every comment and criticism the judges gave him.^[9]

During Hollywood week he was encouraged to quit when diagnosed with mono and sequestered in a bathroom for most of that week, to keep the contagious disease from spreading.^[10] He impressed the judges in an 'Idol' first when he performed the group round as a soloist.^[10][11] During "Idol Grammy Hits" week Harmon was coached to bring the "strange faces he makes when he sings" under control.^[12] Judge Harry Connick Jr. noted that Harmon lost an "exaggerated jaw vibrato" which eventually caused him to temporarily lose his singing voice.^[12]

Harmon won the fifteenth season of American Idol on April 7, 2016. His coronation single, "Falling", was written by American Idol judge Keith Urban with Dallas Davidson and Brett James.^[13] For winning the title, Harmon received a Ford car and a recording contract with Big Machine Records. La'Porsha Renae was named runner-up. Harmon parted ways with Big Machine in May 2019.

Post-Idol

After winning American Idol Harmon was signed by Big Machine Records. His first album has country and indie soul influences.^[26] Big Machine's Scott Borchetta said that it would be like a country album Justin Timberlake would make.^[10] In a post-show interview Harmon was asked his thoughts on Mississippi's anti-LGBT "Religious Liberty" legislation (HB1523) which allows people and businesses to deny service to LGBT people.^[27] He recounted that in the restaurant business, he served whomever walked in the door: "I think that you should treat all people equally and respectfully, and that's what I do, and that's what I'm going to continue to do no matter what law is passed."^[27][28]

In December 2016, Harmon released his self-titled EP which features his Top 30 hit "There's a Girl" and four other tracks.^[29] During 2017, Harmon experienced a personal breakup, his record label folding, and its parent company's restructuring leaving his contract in limbo. By the end of 2016, he and BMLG resolved their issues.^[30]

In February 2018, Harmon premiered the single "You Got 'Em All",^[31] the title track from his debut album, released on May 18, 2018.^[32] On September 6, 2019, he and Kathleen Couch married.^[33] In February 2021, he released a new single dedicated to her, "She's My Heaven".^[34] They welcomed their daughter in 2023.^{[citation needed]}

On May 30, 2025, he released a Christian music EP, Scars & Sins.^[35]

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Music videos