One of the most poignant moments of Season 23 was featured in Sunday night’s American Idol show when John Foster paid tribute to his mother by performing a moving rendition of Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe.”
The event took a poignant turn when Mother’s Day fell on the same night as the second segment of Idol’s Disney Week. Every one of the Top 7 competitors selected a song to devote to their moms or mother figures, and Foster’s rendition was particularly poignant, bringing tears to the eyes of the judges and audience.
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A Mother’s Day Moment That Stopped the Show
The evening started off with upbeat Disney-inspired performances, led by the renowned Lin-Manuel Miranda, who led the competitors through well-known Disney tunes. However, the tone and emotional weight changed as the second hour got underway.
Judge Carrie Underwood cautioned viewers and other judges that she would “probably cry through the whole thing” as host Ryan Seacrest announced the beginning of the Mother’s Day segment. She wasn’t by herself, either.
John Foster took the stage when it was his turn to play, delivering the eerie country ballad “Believe,” which Brooks & Dunn first released in 2003. The song, which touches on faith, loss, and the strong ties that bind us together, is regarded by many as one of the most poignant works of contemporary country music.
“My Mom Is My Faith”
Foster explained the significance of the song to him and the reason he decided to sing it for his mother on this memorable evening before his performance.
“It’s a song that’s very rooted in faith, which is how I see my mom. She’s my faith,” Foster shared.
“My prime faith is Christianity, and my mom has built that over so many years. I am so eternally grateful.”
The scene became even more poignant when Foster’s mother made an appearance in a video clip and revealed:
“I was born to be a mom, and I’m so glad that he’s mine.”
Both onstage and in every living room, tears were shed.
Foster Advances to the Top 5 After Powerful Tribute
Both the judges and the crowd praised Foster’s rendition of “Believe,” and when the results were revealed at the conclusion of the evening, he moved up into the American Idol Top 5, which would put him one step closer to the Season 23 finals.
However, John Foster has before moved audiences to tears.
A Voice That Carries Grief, Faith, and Love
Foster’s original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which he wrote, astonished the audience during the Top 20 round earlier in the season. Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, two of his friends who sadly died in a vehicle accident on New Year’s Eve 2022, were honoured in the song.
John said, “I love you, Maggie,” as he gazed into the camera after that incredibly moving performance.
Families watching at home heard the queue clearly, even if the cheers of the live audience drowned it out in real time.
“I didn’t hear him say ‘I love you, Maggie’ when I was there live,” Maggie’s mom Erin Martin told local news station UWK.
“But when I got home and watched it again, I heard it — and it meant the world to me.”
A Star on the Rise With a Heart That Shines
As American Idol 2025 enters its last stages, John Foster keeps demonstrating that he is more than simply a talented singer; he is also a compelling speaker who engages his audience on a deep level.
Few people can equal Foster’s unvarnished emotional honesty on stage, whether he’s praising his mother’s unshakeable love or paying tribute to friends who passed away too soon.
More than just a cover, his Mother’s Day rendition of “Believe” was a prayer, a thank you, and an unforgettable moment that will stick in the minds of all viewers long after the season is finished.
See why judges and fans alike are praising John Foster as one of the most genuine performers American Idol has ever seen by watching his moving rendition of “Believe.”
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