Sunday night’s episode of American Idol delivered what may have been the most moving moment of Season 23, as 18-year-old country standout John Foster paid tribute to his mother with a soul-stirring performance of Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe.” With the second night of the Disney Week event coinciding with Mother’s Day, the show took a heartfelt turn, as each of the Top 7 contestants chose a song to honor their mothers or mother figures. Foster’s performance, however, didn’t just stand out — it stopped the show.
Earlier in the night, the contestants delivered vibrant, Disney-inspired performances under the guidance of guest mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda. But the atmosphere shifted during the second hour, when host Ryan Seacrest introduced the Mother’s Day segment. Judge Carrie Underwood warned with a laugh that she would “probably cry through the whole thing.” She wasn’t alone.
When it came time for Foster to take the stage, he chose “Believe,” the 2003 country ballad by Brooks & Dunn that is revered for its poignant message of faith, love, and loss. With a quiet strength, Foster delivered the song with heartfelt clarity, his rich voice trembling just slightly with emotion. The lyrics, already powerful on their own, took on new meaning as he sang them in tribute to his mother.
Ahead of the performance, Foster explained his choice: “It’s a song that’s very rooted in faith, which is how I see my mom. She’s my faith. My prime faith is Christianity, and my mom has built that over so many years. I am so eternally grateful.” The emotional resonance deepened when the show aired a pre-recorded message from Foster’s mother, who said, “I was born to be a mom, and I’m so glad that he’s mine.”
The camera caught audience members wiping away tears, and Carrie Underwood — who’s become a guiding voice for Foster throughout the season — was visibly emotional. The judges praised not only Foster’s vocal performance but the genuine vulnerability he brought to the moment.
When voting results came in at the end of the episode, Foster secured his place in the Top 5, moving one step closer to the season finale.
This wasn’t the first time Foster has moved the nation with his emotional depth. Earlier in the competition, during the Top 20 round, he performed an original song titled “Tell That Angel I Love Her” in memory of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, two of his friends who were killed in a car crash on New Year’s Eve in 2022. At the end of that performance, Foster looked into the camera and softly said, “I love you, Maggie.”
Though the moment was nearly lost in the applause, it resonated deeply with those watching at home — especially Maggie’s family. “I didn’t hear him say ‘I love you, Maggie’ when I was there live,” Maggie’s mother Erin Martin told local station UWK. “But when I got home and watched it again, I heard it — and it meant the world to me.”
Foster has emerged as one of this season’s brightest stars not simply because of his vocal ability, but because of his unwavering sincerity. He has consistently used the Idol stage to honor the people and values that shaped him, whether through his tribute to Carrie Underwood, his duet with Todd O’Neill, or this week’s moving salute to his mother.
As American Idol 2025 nears its finale, Foster is proving that he’s more than just a contestant — he’s an artist with a heart for storytelling and a gift for turning emotion into unforgettable music. His performance of “Believe” wasn’t just a highlight of the night; it was a moment that will linger in the hearts of fans long after the confetti falls.
