American Idol Star John Foster Honors Dolly Parton With Emotional “I Will Always Love You” Tribute
John Foster is remembering Dolly Parton in one of the most heartfelt ways possible.
The American Idol Season 23 runner-up picked up his acoustic guitar and delivered a tender version of Dolly’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You” following her death at 80.
John Foster Sings Dolly’s Iconic Song
Foster shared the emotional performance on Instagram after Dolly died on August 25.
Sitting with his acoustic guitar, the young country singer performed his own stripped-down version of “I Will Always Love You.”
The song was an especially meaningful choice.
Dolly originally wrote the classic herself, and it became one of the most recognizable songs in music history after Whitney Houston recorded her version for The Bodyguard.
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“We Will Always Love You, Mrs. Dolly”
Foster also shared a heartfelt message alongside the performance.
He explained that there were countless things he wanted to say about Dolly and the impact she had on country music and the world.
But he felt his own words could never do her justice.
Instead, he let Dolly’s own songwriting speak for him.
He ended his message by writing:
“We will always love you, Mrs. Dolly. Rest with our Jesus.”
The message quickly resonated with fans.
According to Country Rebel, the performance has received more than 628,000 views on Instagram, along with over 2,000 comments praising Foster’s emotional rendition.
John Foster’s Connection To Country Music
Fans may remember Foster from the 2025 season of American Idol, where his traditional country sound made him a favorite throughout the competition.
He ultimately finished as the runner-up, with Jamal Roberts taking the season’s crown.
Since then, Foster has continued building his career in country music.
He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and even appeared at the 2026 Rose Parade, where he honored another country legend, Hank Williams, with a performance of “Jambalaya (On the Bayou).”
Dolly’s Music Continues To Bring People Together
Foster is just one of many artists who have turned to Dolly’s music while mourning her death.
From Kevin Costner to Brad Paisley and countless country stars, musicians have been using her songs to express emotions that are difficult to put into words.
Dolly died at 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives.
Her songs, however, continue to speak across generations.
And John Foster’s quiet acoustic performance is another reminder of just how powerful Dolly’s songwriting remains.
“We will always love you, Mrs. Dolly.”
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