When John Foster took the stage during American Idol’s Top 20, it wasn’t just to sing. It was to mourn, to remember, and to heal.
“I wrote this for the two sweet angels we lost on New Year’s Eve. Maggie was one of my best friends…” he said, voice trembling.
From the first word, you could feel it: this was more than a performance. It was a raw and beautiful goodbye.
A Song for Maggie and Caroline
John Foster—an LSU biology student from Louisiana with dreams of becoming a “singing oncologist”—had already impressed judges in his audition with a Conway Twitty cover and his compassionate heart. But nothing could have prepared the audience for the emotional wave he brought with his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her.”
The song was written for Maggie Dunn (17) and Caroline Gill (16), two close friends killed in a tragic car accident on New Year’s Eve. As Foster sang, his voice cracked under the weight of emotion. But he kept going.
And when the final note faded, he looked out into the audience, and whispered, “I love you, Maggie.”
Silence. Then Tears.
The room fell completely still.
Carrie Underwood, visibly moved, asked about the line. Foster turned and pointed to the crowd—where the girls’ parents sat together, holding each other through tears.
It was one of the most emotionally charged moments in Idol history. Because this wasn’t about making it to the next round. It was about honoring two lives gone too soon.
Lyrics That Became a Prayer
“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…”
Those words—soft, honest, and heart-wrenching—felt like they belonged to everyone who has ever lost someone too soon.
A Friendship Etched in Music
John and Maggie’s friendship began back in middle school. She had been there for his first gig. And the hat he wore on the Idol stage? It was the very same one from that first show.
According to Maggie’s mom, Erin Martin, John’s performance was “a tangible example of the light and love that Maggie left behind.”
Caroline, who John described as “a good friend I regret not knowing even more,” was remembered just as deeply.
The Night Everything Changed
On New Year’s Eve 2022, Maggie and Caroline were killed when a police officer ran a red light during a high-speed pursuit and crashed into their vehicle. Maggie’s brother survived but was seriously injured.
The officer was later sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of negligent injury.
A Farewell That Resonated Far Beyond the Stage
John Foster didn’t just sing a song. He offered a eulogy in melody. A moment of shared grief, love, and remembrance. And in doing so, he gave voice to something bigger than himself.
“Until we meet again,” he later wrote. “So much love to everyone.”
In a season filled with talent, it was Foster’s truth that set him apart. Because sometimes, the most unforgettable performances aren’t the ones with the biggest notes—but the ones sung straight from a broken heart.
Watch his powerful tribute below. 👇👇👇
It may just stay with you long after the music fades.
