Foster was the runner-up on ‘American Idol’ 2025.

One of the most touching moments during the American Idol season this year came when runner-up John Foster sang a song he wrote for a late friend named Maggie Dunn.

The performance for Dunn helped solidify the judges’ belief in Foster, who would go on to make the final two.

“You’ve kind of been a wildcard for me the whole time, but what you just did there removed all doubts in my mind that you deserve to be here,” judge Luke Bryan told him, according to People.

“I love that in this song we got to hear a sweet, tender side of your voice that honestly I didn’t know you had,” judge Carrie Underwood told him.

Dunn was a Brusly, Louisiana, cheerleader who was killed with another cheerleader in a tragic car crash involving a police officer, according to WBRZ-TV.

According to WFAB-TV, Dunn and Caroline Gill died on Dec. 31, 2022, “after a police officer hit them while speeding through an intersection during a chase with a suspect in a stolen car.” Dunn’s brother Liam survived the crash with serious injuries, the television station reported.

After Foster’s tribute to Dunn, her mother, Erin Martin, told WBRZ that she taught Foster, who became friends with her daughter in middle school.

His tribute to Dunn, Tell That Angel I Love Her, helped Foster make the top 20 on the show, according to WBRZ.

When Foster whispered “I love you, Maggie,” at the end of the song, almost breaking into tears, Martin told the television station that her heart “just melted.”

“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,” he sang.

“For John Foster to make the song at all and then to perform it, it’s an example, a tangible example of the light and love that Maggie left behind,” Martin said to the station.

Addis, LA, officer David Lee Cauthorn was accused of manslaughter and other charges in connection with the crash, which occurred when he allegedly ran a red light while speeding, according to WFAB.

After pleading guilty, Cauthorn received a 32-year sentence, but with 22 years of it suspended, WBRZ-TV reported.

Dunn’s obituary reads, “Margaret ‘Maggie’ Edline Dunn, passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at the age of 17. She was a native of Plaquemine and resident of Brusly.”

It adds: “Maggie was a junior at Brusly High School. She was an honor student and cheerleader who served on many committees and was in many clubs. Maggie was a member of the A-Team, Student Council and Beta. She was a friend to all she met, a blessing to have as a daughter and as a sister.”