“Idol” Hopeful Honors Late Mom In Emotional Audition Following Her Tragic Death
on Feb 17, 2026
During The Feb. 16th Episode Of American Idol, We Met A Singer Named Mor
22-year-old singer Mor Ilderton auditioned for Season 24 of American Idol and his episode aired on Monday, February 16th.
After he introduced himself to judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, Mor revealed he’d be auditioning with an original song titled “Strong.”
Mor explained the story behind the song, revealing that his father ended his mother’s life when he was very young. He saw a photo of his mom for the first time and realized he never knew her face, and that’s what the song is about.
“My dad ended my mom’s life. [This song] is about seeing my mom’s picture for the first time and not knowing her, just kind of looking at a stranger, and just pouring out my emotions of that through this song,” he explained.
Mor’s Mom Died When He Was Two Years Old
According to his mom’s online obituary, she passed away on Ocotber 9, 2005, leaving behind two sons, Tevin Owsley and Clarence Morton “Mor” Ilderton IV.
She was 35 years old at the time of her death and a student at West Virginia State University.
Mor, who actually competed on Season 26 of The Voice, revealed on that show that he was raised by his grandmother and when he turned 18, he moved in with his aunt and uncle.
According to an article in the West Virginia Gazette, Mor’s mom was “strangled in an act of domestic violence.”
Tragedy struck Mor and his family, but it’s clear they did not let it derail them. Mor attended college at Concord University and was on the football team in 2022 and 2023. Mor’s brother Tevin followed in their mom’s footsteps and attended WVSU.
Following his time in college, Mor began pursuing a singing career, auditioning for The Voice, posting videos on social media, and now, auditioning for American Idol.
See How The Judges React To Mor’s Original Song
Mor began strumming his guitar, but had a slip up and needed to start over.
The judges reassured him that he could take his time and that everything was okay. At the same time, a producer brought in an elderly woman in the room. He sang his heart out to his self-written lyrics, “You were taken from me years ago, someone I never got to know. and now I can hardly sleep when I see your face. Oh mama, I hope you found your way home.”
Mor became emotional as he finished the song with, “I don’t wanna need you anymore, I don’t wanna bleed you anymore. Everything in me is hanging on, you’re the reason that I’m strong. Oh mama, I hope you found your way home, over West Virginia, you look and we wish you were here. Oh mama…”
The singer received a standing ovation from the judges.
“The fact that you took that time and pulled that together.. As unnerved as you may feel, I love your delivery, I love the timber of your voice and more importantly, that writing was very cool,” Richie said.
Underwood added, “I feel like you went somewhere else when you were singing. It’s like we weren’t here, in a good way.”
Bryan rounded out the judging by saying, “You got all the tools, you got the style, you got the hair, you got the look, what else does he got, Carrie?”
“You got the support,” she said as Mor’s grandmother walked in the room. The two embraced in an incredibly emotional moment.
The judges all voted him through to Hollywood Week, and we think he could go far, although this season has some stiff competition!
Watch his powerful audition below.
