During the Season 23 finale of American Idol on May 18, 2025, John Foster delivered a deeply moving performance of his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her.” This heartfelt tribute honored his late friends, Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident on New Year’s Eve 2022.

Foster, a Louisiana native and Brusly High School graduate, first introduced the song during the show’s Top 20 round. His emotional delivery resonated with audiences, propelling him to the finale. In the grand finale, “Tell That Angel I Love Her” was his third and final performance of the evening, following renditions of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

The lyrics of “Tell That Angel I Love Her” poignantly express grief and longing:

“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.”

Foster’s performance moved the audience and judges alike. Carrie Underwood, serving as a judge this season, expressed her admiration, likening Foster to her own son and praising his growth throughout the competition.

Despite finishing as the runner-up to Jamal Roberts, Foster’s original composition became one of the season’s most talked-about performances, amassing significant views online and sparking conversations about love, loss, and healing.

Watch the video down below and don’t forget to share this beautiful song with your friends and family…