John Foster Brings ‘American Idol’ to Tears With Emotional Tribute Song for Late Best Friend

John Foster, a Louisiana native and LSU biology student with dreams of becoming a “singing oncologist,” has captured the hearts of American Idol viewers across the country. Inspired by a desire to help those battling cancer, Foster has shown he’s just as passionate about healing through music as he is through medicine.

During his initial audition, Foster charmed the judges with a Conway Twitty classic. His infectious energy and Southern charm even convinced Luke Bryan to turn an initial “no” into a big “yes.” That moment was just the beginning of an emotional journey.

From Hawaii to the Heartstrings

After securing a spot in the top 24, Foster headed to Hawaii, where he performed “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” a high-energy tribute to his Louisiana roots. The performance had the judges dancing and the crowd buzzing—but the real showstopper came later.

A Song for Angels

Reaching the top 20, John Foster unveiled his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her”—a touching tribute to his two friends, Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, who were tragically lost on New Year’s Eve. As he sang, emotions overwhelmed him, and tears flowed freely.

He ended the song with a tearful message: “I love you, Maggie.”

Carrie Underwood, visibly moved, asked John about the significance of that final line. John pointed to the audience, where the parents of Maggie and Caroline sat. He shared how much the girls meant to him—Maggie, his best friend, and Caroline, a dear friend he wished he had known even better.

Some of the powerful lyrics from the song include:

“Each tear that falls on my guitar
Is a hug from afar
Lord, won’t you tell that angel I love her?
As y’all live in the stars”

In his own words, Foster said:

“I wrote this for the two sweet angels that were tragically taken from us on New Year’s Eve. Maggie was one of my best friends and Caroline was a good friend of mine who I regret not knowing even more. Until we meet again. So much love to everyone.”

His performance left the audience in tears—and reminded everyone watching that sometimes, the most powerful music comes straight from the heart.

🎥 Watch John Foster’s emotional tribute below.