Isaiah Moore, a 22-year-old Alabama native, didn’t just pause his honeymoon—he bared his soul. Stepping onto the American Idol stage with a raw Luke Combs cover, he carried more than a song; he carried a story of survival and love. Placed in foster care as a child while his mother battled addiction and jail, he and his brother found refuge with their grandparents. Now, years later, his mother stood sober and proud in the audience. But one person was missing. “This is for my brother,” Isaiah said, voice trembling. “I worry about him. I don’t want him to go down the same path.” Then, he sang—and the room felt every note. By the last chord, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. In that moment, Isaiah’s voice wasn’t just music. It was a prayer, a plea, and a promise.

Isaiah Moore, a 22-year-old Alabama native, skipped his honeymoon to audition for American Idol with a beautiful Luke Combs cover.

The second episode of American Idol‘s 23rd season featured impressive talent and emotional auditions, including a tear-jerking cover of Luke Comb‘s “Where The Wild Things Are” by Isaiah Moore.

Moore told the judges that he and his brother were put in foster care as kids. Their mom struggled with addiction and was in and out of jail throughout their childhood. “By God’s grace and His blessings,” Isaiah’s grandparents took him and his brother in.

Isaiah shared that his mom has been sober for three years, and she, along with his grandparents, was at the audition with him to cheer him on.

“The most important people in my life are here today,” Moore told the judges. “I’m missing one person that I wish was here…”

He then dedicated his audition to his brother. “This song goes out to my brother. He’s been having a hard time this last year. And I worry about him. I love him. I know that he loves me. I just don’t want him to go down the same path my mom went down. I’m singing this for him.”

Isaiah Moore sang Luke Combs’ “Where The Wild Things Are.”

“Where The Wild Things Are” is a single from Combs’ album Gettin’ Old. The emotionally charged tune tells the story of a brother’s adventurous and free spirit. At the end of the song, the brother loses his life in a motorcycle accident but dies doing what he loved.

As Isaiah sang the powerful lyrics, the judges are clearly moved. Luke Bryan told the singer, “I think there’s a story in that voice. That song kind of showcases a lot of parallels in your life and a lot of peoples’ lives. I enjoyed it. Good job.”

“I felt the passion. I felt the pain. You’re carrying a lot inside, but your blessing is that you can actually deliver it in a vocal. It’s touching,” Lionel Richie told him.

Isaiah’s family joined him in the audition room to hear his fate. He introduced his wife, grandparents, and mom, all of whom were beaming with pride.

Moore received unanimous approval from the judging panel to advance to Hollywood Week. Hear Isaiah Moore’s touching rendition of “Where The Wild Things Are” in the video below.