John Foster’s emotional Toby Keith tribute leaves Carrie Underwood in TEARS—audience STUNNED as Louisiana teen loses the crown but wins America’s heart in unforgettable Idol finale moment

John Foster didn’t take home the American Idol title in 2025—but what he did win may matter even more. As the lights dimmed and tension ran high, the Louisiana teen stepped forward with nothing but heart and a trembling voice, delivering a tribute to country legend Toby Keith that left the entire arena breathless. Carrie Underwood, visibly emotional, wiped away tears as John sang “Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue” with raw, patriotic pride. How did a supposed loss turn into one of the season’s most unforgettable performances?

See the moment that brought America to its feet—watch the full performance now.

John Foster has been this season’s country frontrunner. He got a slow start with an audition that had Luke Bryan wondering if the 18-year-old had what it takes to advance through the many rounds of competition. But, Bryan admitted he was wrong after Foster’s Top 8 performance of George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart.”

“I saw a clip of me saying I didn’t know if you could sing good enough back in your audition. And, man, no one has ever proved me more wrong,” Luke told John. “I am so proud of you.”

John stayed strong and consistent throughout the competition, earning the love and support of country music fans who voted him through week after week. A huge turning point in the competition for Foster came when he performed “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” an emotional tune he wrote in honor of two friends he lost in a tragic car accident on New Year’s Eve 2022.

The song led Luke Bryan to tell the singer that his performance of the tribute song removed any doubt Luke had that John belonged there.

Carrie Underwood was John Foster’s biggest cheerleader. “He’s so sweet and fresh faced and he’s one of those people that I feel like… don’t even really know how good you are kind of thing,” Underwood told PEOPLE of the singer.

“Week to week, we have watched him progress so much,” she added. “We were talking after his performance, me, Luke, and Lionel, and we were just saying he’s probably the one that has grown the most since he’s been here.”

America agreed and voted John Foster through to the finale.

Foster chose to “dance with the one who brung ya’” and give his fans what they wanted to hear in the finale. His love for country music and incredible covers throughout the season are what landed him in the finale, so he stayed true in hopes that country music fans would vote him as this season’s winner.
John Foster brought country to “American Idol” with a Brooks & Dunn cover. (Photo credit: American Idol/YouTube)

John will sing three country covers on Sunday night. He performed Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and later in the show will cover  “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver solo. He will also join Luke Bryan to sing Randy Travis’s “Deeper Than The Holler.”

John Foster Covers Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”

John was the first finalist to perform solo and explained why he chose to sing “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” by Toby Keith.

“What better song to do than one of the best songs for America as a whole. I couldn’t have done it without the entirety of America behind me. Those are my people, and I’m singing this for my people,” John shared.

Foster seemed to be unfazed by the pressure of the moment and delivered a solid, flawless performance of the patriotic anthem.

Lionel responded to the performance by saying, “Now, John, that’s the way you work it for American Idol. You just nailed it, nailed it, nailed it.”

“It’s the time to pull out all the stops, and you pulled out all the stops,” Carrie said. “I felt like I was at a John Foster concert.”

Luke Bryan agreed and told Foster, “Your growth and how much your whole disposition has changed … the confidence, your voice has gotten better. It’s been a privilege to watch that happen.”

John Foster Sings A John Denver Classic

Following an emotional clip of John’s return to his hometown, he took the stage to perform another country classic – John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

The judges praised his song choice and begged viewers to vote. Were John’s solo performances enough to earn him the American Idol title? During the first results of the show, host Ryan Seacrest revealed that John was safe and had advanced to the Top 2, bringing him one step closer to the coveted win.

Watch John Foster’s performances of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in the videos below.