American Idol‘s favorite country singer, John Foster, performed a powerful cover song in honor of his mom

Sunday’s episode of American Idol was a heartfelt celebration split into two parts, both themed around Disney and family. For John Foster, it was also a deeply personal opportunity—falling on Mother’s Day—to honor the woman who shaped him most: his mom.

In the first half of the show, the Top 7 contestants performed Disney classics, each guided by the talented Lin-Manuel Miranda, who served as a mentor for the evening. The songs weren’t just fan favorites—they were selections each singer had a personal connection to, creating moments of fun, nostalgia, and genuine emotion throughout the segment.

As the second hour began, the tone shifted to one of tribute and deep affection. The show transitioned into a special segment where each finalist dedicated a song to their mother or stepmother. Emotions were running high from the start, with Carrie Underwood openly admitting she’d likely be moved to tears before the performances were over.

John Foster stepped into the spotlight and gave one of the night’s most unforgettable performances. Choosing Brooks & Dunn’s soul-stirring ballad “Believe,” John brought raw vulnerability and spiritual depth to the stage. Written by Ronnie Dunn, the song has long been known as one of country music’s most emotionally resonant tracks, and Foster’s rendition only reinforced that legacy.

Before launching into the song, John opened up about why “Believe” held such deep meaning for him. He spoke with reverence about the role his mother played in shaping his values and spirituality, explaining how her unwavering presence in his life became the foundation of his faith.

“It’s a song that’s rooted in faith, and that’s exactly how I see my mom,” he said with emotion. “She is my faith. My belief system was built on the principles she taught me from the very beginning, and I can’t begin to express how thankful I am.”

The most touching moment of the night came not during the song, but immediately after, when John recounted his mother’s pride in him. As the cameras turned to her, she whispered words that left not a single dry eye in the house: “I was born to be a mom, and I’m so glad that he’s mine.”

Foster’s Emotional Storytelling Has Moved Audiences Before

This wasn’t the first time Foster left the audience in tears. Earlier in the season during the Top 20, he performed a deeply personal original song titled “Tell That Angel I Love Her.” The song was written in memory of his close friends Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, who were tragically killed in a car crash on New Year’s Eve 2022. With a trembling voice, Foster ended the performance by softly saying, “I love you, Maggie.”

That night, both girls’ mothers were present in the crowd. Maggie’s mother, Erin Martin, later shared that she hadn’t heard John’s final words during the live broadcast due to the overwhelming applause. It wasn’t until she rewatched the performance at home that she caught his tender dedication, which brought her to tears all over again.

“I didn’t hear him say, ‘I love you, Maggie,’ when I was there live,” Martin told UWK. “I could see him get emotional on stage. I didn’t hear the ‘I love you, Maggie’ until I was at home because of all the clapping and whatnot. But it just meant a lot to hear him say that.”

Watch John Foster’s moving performance of “Tell That Angel I Love Her” below.