Tears on Stage: John Foster Opens Up About His Final Text to His Late Grandfather Before the American Idol Finale — “I Did It for You” 💬🕊️

The American Idol Season 23 finale on May 18, 2025, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with 18-year-old John Foster from Addis, Louisiana, delivering performances that left audiences and judges in awe. While his runner-up finish to Mississippi’s Jamal Roberts was a career-defining moment, it was Foster’s tearful revelation about a final text to his late grandfather that stole the spotlight. In a post-finale interview, Foster shared that he sent a heartfelt message—“I did it for you”—to his grandfather’s old phone number just hours before taking the stage, a gesture that brought him to tears during his performance of “Tell That Angel I Love Her.” This poignant moment, combined with his raw talent and traditional country charm, has fans on platforms like X buzzing about Foster’s authenticity and the emotional depth that sets him apart.

A Journey Rooted in Family

John Foster’s American Idol journey has been deeply personal, shaped by his Louisiana roots and the loved ones who inspired him. A biology freshman at LSU with dreams of becoming a “singing oncologist,” Foster first won over judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie with his audition performance of Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” and Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time.” His neo-traditional country style, influenced by George Strait and Keith Whitley, earned him praise as a “throwback” artist with an “instant identity” voice. But it was his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” written for his late friends Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, that became his signature, resonating with audiences for its raw emotion.

Throughout the season, Foster often spoke about his family’s support, particularly his parents and his grandfathers, both military veterans who instilled in him a sense of pride and resilience. His performance of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” in the finale, dedicated to his grandfathers, earned a standing ovation, with Lionel Richie calling it “the perfect song”. However, it was Foster’s late grandfather, William “Bill” Foster, a Vietnam War veteran who passed away in 2023, who became the emotional anchor of his finale performance. Foster’s connection to his grandfather ran deep, and the final text he sent before the finale revealed the depth of that bond.

The Final Text: A Heartfelt Tribute

In a candid interview with TV Insider after the finale, Foster opened up about the moments leading up to his performance on May 18, 2025. “I was sitting in my dressing room, just thinking about everything that got me here,” he said. “My grandpa Bill was always my biggest cheerleader. He’d call me after every gig, telling me to keep singing, keep writing. So, before I went on stage, I pulled out my phone and texted his old number. I knew he wouldn’t see it, but I just wrote, ‘I did it for you.’ It felt like he was with me.” The act of sending the message, though symbolic, overwhelmed Foster with emotion, and he admitted to tearing up as he prepared to perform.

Foster’s emotional state was evident during his finale performance of “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” a song he wrote after the tragic loss of his friends Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill in a 2022 car accident. The song, already deeply personal, took on added weight as Foster channeled his grief for his grandfather into the performance. “I was thinking about Maggie, Caroline, and Grandpa Bill,” he told Unfiltered with Kiran. “It was like they were all there, watching me.” As he sang the lyrics—“Though we may not know the reason / It’s not for us to understand / Lord, won’t you tell that angel I love her / As soon as you can”—tears streamed down his face, and the audience, including Dunn’s mother, Erin Martin, was visibly moved.

The performance was a standout, with Carrie Underwood praising Foster’s ability to tell a story through his music. “You’re not just singing—you’re making us feel your whole life in those moments,” she said. Luke Bryan, who had mentored Foster throughout the season, noted his growth, saying, “You’ve proved every doubt wrong, including mine”. Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with one user posting, “John Foster’s tears during ‘Tell That Angel’ broke me. That text to his grandpa? He’s got a heart of gold.” Another wrote, “When John said he texted his late grandfather, I lost it. This kid is pure soul.”

The Significance of the Gesture

Foster’s decision to text his grandfather’s old number was a deeply personal act, reflecting a pattern of honoring those who shaped him. His Idol journey was filled with tributes—to his late friends, his family, and now his grandfather. The text, though unanswered, was a way for Foster to feel connected to his grandfather during one of the biggest moments of his life. “He always told me to chase my dreams, no matter how big,” Foster shared in a Country Thang Daily interview. “Getting to the Idol finale felt like keeping a promise to him.”

The emotional weight of the moment resonated with fans, who saw parallels with other heartfelt gestures in Foster’s journey, such as his dedication of “Tell That Angel I Love Her” to Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill. The song, written the day he learned of their deaths, became a cornerstone of his Idol run, with Foster noting, “That song changed everything for me. It made me realize music is how I process, how I heal”. By connecting his performance to both his friends and his grandfather, Foster turned the finale into a tribute to those he’d lost, making his tears on stage a powerful symbol of love and remembrance.

The text also sparked speculation about its deeper meaning. Some fans on X theorized that Foster’s message was tied to a specific promise he’d made to his grandfather, perhaps to pursue music or honor his family’s legacy. Others saw it as a universal gesture of grief and hope, with one user writing, “John texting his grandpa’s number before the finale is so real. We all want to talk to the ones we’ve lost one more time.” The moment echoed other emotional tributes in recent memory, like Foster’s dedication to former Idol contestant Gabby Samone at his sold-out Texas Club concert, where he honored her with a performance of Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”

A Community’s Pride

Foster’s hometown of Addis, Louisiana, has rallied behind him throughout his Idol journey, and the revelation about his text to his grandfather only deepened their admiration. During his hometown visit, aired during the finale, Foster performed “Tell That Angel I Love Her” at a local concert, breaking down as he sang for Maggie Dunn’s mother, Erin Martin. “Music allows us to connect and heal,” Martin said, praising Foster’s ability to honor her daughter’s memory. The community’s support was evident in the rapid sell-out of his August 2, 2025, concert at The Texas Club, which sold out in three minutes, prompting a second show.

Local media, including WAFB and Unfiltered with Kiran, celebrated Foster’s authenticity and his connection to his roots. “John’s not just singing for himself—he’s singing for all of us,” said Megan Kelly, a reporter for Unfiltered. “That text to his grandfather shows who he is: a kid who never forgets where he came from”. Foster’s performances, including his finale duet with Luke Bryan on Randy Travis’ “Deeper Than the Holler” and his solo cover of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” showcased his love for Louisiana and his commitment to traditional country music.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future

Foster’s emotional moment in the finale has only heightened anticipation for his debut album, set to release in fall 2025. The album, featuring a duet with Carrie Underwood on a reimagined “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” is expected to blend his neo-traditional style with modern elements. “I want every song to feel like a piece of me,” Foster told Billboard. His single, already streaming, has gained traction, with fans praising its heartfelt lyrics and Foster’s ability to convey raw emotion.

Foster’s Grand Ole Opry debut on June 7, 2025, where he performed “Murder on Music Row” and “How Great Thou Art,” further cemented his place in Nashville’s traditional country scene. His upcoming appearances at CMA Fest and potential tour dates, including a possible spot on the American Idol live tour, suggest a busy future. “I’m just getting started,” Foster said in a post-finale Instagram post. “Thank y’all for believing in me. I’m gonna keep making music as long as I can”.

A Legacy of Love

John Foster’s tears on the American Idol stage were more than a moment of vulnerability—they were a testament to his ability to turn personal loss into universal connection. His final text to his late grandfather, “I did it for you,” encapsulated his journey: a young artist driven by love, faith, and the desire to honor those who shaped him. As fans continue to share clips of his finale performance on X, with comments like “John Foster’s heart is why he’s a star” and “That text to his grandfather wrecked me,” it’s clear that his authenticity resonates deeply.

Foster’s story is one of resilience and remembrance, from his tributes to Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill to his emotional nod to his grandfather. As he steps into the next chapter of his career, with an album on the horizon and a growing fanbase, Foster is proving that music can heal, connect, and inspire. In his own words, “It’s not about winning—it’s about sharing your heart.” For John Foster, that heart shines brighter than any Idol crown.