Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know that Noah Centineo has become the internet’s new boyfriend.
People have fallen in love with the actor just as much as the character Peter Kavinsky on Netflix’s hit rom-com To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Noah Centineo is being hailed a breakout star and Netflix’s newest sensation, but long-time fans of the late The Fosters are in awe of this craze. Not because we don’t understand it but because we already knew how awesome he is.
Related: The Fosters Season 5 Episode 22 Series Finale Review: Where the Heart Is
If it sounds like I’m saying Foster Fanatics loved Noah Centineo before it was cool, it’s because I am. The Fosters wrapped up its final season after five glorious seasons. Cut us a little slack if we’re mystified that the Internet’s newest obsession was right there on a criminally underrated The Fosters since he was recast as Jesus and replaced Jake T. Austin at the end of the third season.
Amazing and endearing performances are nothing new for Noah Centineo. There are three years worth of them on The Fosters. So, here’s a list of times in which he dazzled us on The Fosters. Warning, there will be spoilers for the series!
If you want to experience him as Jesus Foster, you can watch The Fosters online here via TV Fanatic. You can also check out The Fosters Reviews!
Are you a long-time Noah Centineo fan or a Peter Kavinsky convert? Who do you love more Peter Kavinsky or Jesus Adams – Foster? Hit the comments!
When He and Mariana are Adorable Twins
Any and every positive moments where the twins are adorable in all of their twin glory are great scenes, especially for Jesus. No offense to Mariana, but she’s a lot to deal with, and he often has his hands full with her. He doesn’t hesitate to let her know how much she gets on his nerves, but he also dotes on her and gives her the perfect gifts and loves her unconditionally.
Jesus and Jude Feels
Over the years, Jesus and Jude’s relationship was a special one because they were forced to share a room together. In a way, they embodied the antagonistic brothers who get on one another’s nerves. Even moms were touched when the two of them fought and bickered because it meant they instantly accepted one another as brothers. There was nothing but love there regardless.
When He Put His Height to Good Use
There was a brief period of time when fans were caught off guard by how physically different Noah Centineo was from his predecessor, Jake T. Austin. The show took it and ran with it, though. Some of the most subtle but adorable moments, especially for those of us who are vertically-challenged, are when Jesus put his height to good use. Jake giving Lexie a boost? A precious moment that fanned the flames of Jesus/ Noah fangirling. See also anytime the more affectionate Jesus hugged anyone smaller than him.
When He Confessed His Feelings for Emma
Emma and Jesus had a back-and-forth relationship where they were teammates and friends, but also friends-with-benefits. Despite being a bit girl-crazy, Jesus was very romantic, and he wanted to go all in with Emma. He finally broke down and told her how he felt.
When He Couldn’t Find Mariana During a Crisis
One of the most terrifying hours of The Fosters was when Jesus’ friend (and Mariana’s ex-boyfriend) wandered the halls with a loaded weapon. All of the kids were accounted for except for Mariana, and Jesus was the most visibly shaken up about the disappearance of his twin during such a scary time. It was one of the most emotional moments of the series for his character, and as usual, Noah Centineo sold every ounce of terror and concern.
When He Supported His Moms
How many times can a couple get married and renew their vows? Lots. Jesus was the most excited about Stef and Lena renewing their vows again on a whim, and it only proved that he secretly was the hopeless romantic out of the bunch. He tried to act cool, but the guy was a sucker for love, and we’re a sucker for him because of it.
When He Knew Mariana Wasn’t OK
Mariana often felt the rest of the family dismissed her, and after her terrifying experience during the school shooting scare, she battled PTSD. Jesus was always the most in tune with Mariana, in part because of their twin status, but also because Jesus was attuned to others emotions even when he didn’t respond to them. The attentive way he tended to Mariana throughout her experience was impressive and sweet.
When He was Protective of His Family
All of the Foster kids are protective of one another, but Jesus can be the most overt and intimidating if he has to be. Nick eventually became a friend, and a lot of other things, but he didn’t make the best first impression. He made a remark about the Foster brood that put Jesus on the defense, and honestly, who isn’t enamored by a guy who comes to the defense of his family?
The Time He Told Mariana about Meeting Their Birth Father
Jesus was more open to meeting their birth father than Mariana. She put on a front pretending to not be interested, but when Jesus secretly met up with Gabe under the guise of a new employee, the first thing he did was share the experience with his twin. It was a rare moment of the twins bonding over their missing part of their identity and past prior to being adopted. While there was no shortage of decent Mariana and Jesus scenes with the first Jesus, the twins’ relationship thrived in the later years in large part due to the beautiful way Centineo and Ramirez played off one another.
And When He Stalked Him
There came a point when Jesus sought out information about his father and a male influence. It was something he craved for a bit. It led to him tracking down his birth father, Gabe, but it also led to him imposing himself on the man when there was a good reason for why Gabe couldn’t be around. Jesus’ persistence was understandable, and that particular storyline was moving. It explored the complexities of adopted kids and birth parents, and there were so many rich layers tapped into and explored.
When He Reassured Mom
Although he could be selfish at times, Jesus also knew when to say the right thing to reassure the people he cared about. There were many times where Stef and Lena questioned their parenting or whether or not they were enough for their kids. Jesus seeking out a male influence could have led to some insecurity on Stef and Lena’s part, but he was often the most vocal and proud of having two moms.
When He Made Terrible Decisions
While Callie takes the cake for most problematic Foster child who made the worst decisions, the others had their fair share of questionable moments too. They’re teenagers, after all. One of Jesus’ most consistent arcs on the series was his struggles with academics. Eventually, it reached a point where he insisted on dropping out of school altogether. While Noah Centineo is ever the intellectual, his portrayal of a frustrated teen who struggled with learning disabilities and academics was authentic and gripping.
When He Bonded with Corey
Jesus and Corey’s close relationship was one of the best parts about The Fosters three-part series finale. They were absolutely adorable together! While we didn’t get to see when Corey first appeared at The Adams-Foster home or how he and Jesus’ brotherly love blossomed since he arrived at their home, their tight bond was unmistakable. Jesus was willing to do anything for little Corey and showed a vested interest in him more than his other siblings, and Corey adored Jesus. “Big Bro” Jesus is the best Jesus.
When He Kept Gabe from Leaving Town
Without a doubt, one of the best Jesus/Gabe scenes of the series, Jesus hugging his birth father was enough to reduce anyone to tears. When Gabe went into depth about how his life played out after separating from the twins’ birth mother, Jesus, more in tune with others than he let on, asked him the most gutwrenching question that caused Gabe to break down and reduced him to tears: “Don’t you get lonely?” It was an honest, vulnerable moment of anguish and affection without all that toxic masculinity business. Plus, the chemistry between Noah Centineo and Brandon Quinn was phenomenal.
Whe He Defended Mariana to His Own Detriment
The most consistent thing about Jesus was how protective he was of his twin. When Mariana was being stalked and harassed by her ex, Jesus wasted no time tracking her down when she went missing and confronting him. A misunderstanding led to him being knocked out. That also kickstarted his TBI storyline, but we stan a character who protects their loved ones by any means necessary. It was a shining moment for Jesus.
The Crazy and Sad Dream Sequence
Jesus’ brain surgery was a scary point in the series, but while he was under, the show took the opportunity to dig deep into Jesus’ psyche via a revealing dream sequence. It was weird and twisted, but it was beautifully done. It also was the most insight we had into Jesus’ deeply rooted insecurities about his intellect and his relationships with girls. It also gave us insight into his role as the protective twin who always looked out for Mariana when their birth mother was neglecting them. It added depth to his character and more background, too.
When He and Mariana Planned to Travel the World Together
A notoriously boy crazy Mariana couldn’t figure out if she wanted to rekindle things with one of her exes, and she wondered who she would want to come with her when she backpacked across Europe. In the end, she chose her true soulmate: Jesus. Mariana was being overly protective and smothering Jesus, and Jesus was lashing out at her and claiming he wanted his freedom, but the fact of the matter is, they can’t function without one another, so their decision to travel the world together was heartwarming.
When He Admitted He was Afraid He’ll Never be the Same
Jesus’ ongoing journey towards reconciling who he was before and after his brain injury was most compelling. It was a long, arduous journey towards acceptance and one rarely portrayed in its entirety on television, especially not in a realistic manner. It easily could have lasted a couple episodes before the series moved on, but instead, it was weaved into the fabric of the show and character, and much like the audience, Jesus expected to be the same, but Brandon was quick to bring him back to reality for his own good.
When He Asked this Soul-Crushing Question
It’s not The Fosters until you want to curl up in a ball and bawl your eyes out, or you want to reach through the screen and hug the life out of a character. Let’s just say he gets a 10/10 for line delivery and execution for this one.
When His Jealousy Reared Its Ugly Head
Jesus usually managed his jealousy and insecurity, but with a TBI that exacerbated his emotions, he couldn’t anymore. His paranoia had him seeing more between Brandon and Emma than there was. While frustrating to witness, Centineo had a knack for capturing Jesus’ ultimate flaws while maintaining his sympathetic and relatable nature.
When He Reminded Everyone that No Foster is Left Behind
Jesus’ path towards recovery after his brain injury was his best most challenging storyline to date. There was something particularly heartwrenching about the big, chaotic family going about their lives as they typically do bickering and carrying on and forgetting that Jesus couldn’t climb up the stairs and join them. That realization that they had left him behind, and he felt left out after he only made it to the foot of the stairs put Jesus’ TBI into perspective. So many tears and so many feels!
When He was the Cool Bro
Leave it to the brother who probably sent a few nude pics of his own to be the least judgmental when he accidentally caught a glimpse of the d!ck pics Jude’s boyfriend sent him. Most brothers would probably freak out, and most straight guys would probably be perturbed at seeing another guy’s junk, but Jesus was unfazed and cool as a cucumber. He also gave Jude some advice later on. It was a refreshing take and a reminder that in addition to being raised right, Jesus was a great brother.
When He Lost His Ability to Read
Jesus couldn’t win for losing for the majority of season 4. A nail in the head after an accident didn’t do much damage, but his confrontation with Nick did. Another awful side effect of his TBI was him temporarily losing the ability to read. As a kid who already had learning disabilities, he flew into a panic that had him hiding his latest affliction from his parents as long as he possibly could. It was heavy storyline on top of heavy storyline, but it was Jesus at his best, and it kept fans invested and left us rooting for his character.
And When He Regained His Reading Abilities Again
After enduring so many losses and hardships, Jesus needed a win. When he realized he could read again, it was a relief and one step forward in his recovery process. It was also a nice reprieve to see Jesus happier, and it gave us a smiling and happy Noah Centineo. His smile was sorely missed for most of this arc.
When He Confronted Brandon
Jesus and Brandon’s relationship was a bit contentious. Jesus had Jan Brady Syndrome when it came to Brandon. He was often jealous and insecure, and he compared himself to Brandon when it wasn’t necessary. Jesus reached his boiling point when he thought Brandon was sleeping with his girlfriend and the confrontation was epic. It was also painful because despite Jesus being irrational, it was difficult to not empathize with his insecurity.
That Time He Asked the Important Question
Teenage boys will do what teenage boys want to do. The open dialogue between the kids and moms was a highlight of the series, and Jesus being so open about the effects his medicine had on his sex life and his being open about his sex life with his mother at all was refreshing. The Fosters was never afraid to “go there” and when it came to sex, Jesus was the most open.
When He Found Out the Truth
An unfortunate result of Jesus’ emotional outbursts as a result of his TBI was his loved ones minimizing what they told him. They kept him in the dark to protect him, but it more often than not caused more damage. The worst example of it was Jesus being the last person to find out that his girlfriend had gotten pregnant and had an abortion. There were so many layers to the storyline and each was given its due.
And Confronted Emma About It
Being in the dark about Emma’s pregnancy was heavy enough, but the show dug even deeper choosing to explore both positions. Emma had agency over her body and made her own decision without judgment, but Jesus was able to express himself as well. As a boyfriend, he was hurt and devastated that he couldn’t be there for someone he cared about and resentful that Emma chose one of his siblings to see her through it. He also had a unique outlook as an adopted kid of a former drug addict who wasn’t prepared to take care of her kids. Jesus’ conflicting feelings and confusion were masterfully captured, and the topic was handled with care.
When He Trashed Brandon’s Room
Again, it was not a likable nor attractive moment, but it was a gutwrenching one that hit fans in the feels. I would personally love to bill Noah Centineo for all the emotional distress he caused during this scene. Everything came together for this jarring and explosive moment. Jesus’ relationship with Brandon was at its most fractured; his distrust of Emma was at an all-time high, and he was undone by his TBI. Plus, Gabe being there to wrestle him to the ground and bear hug him from behind mirrored Jesus extending Gabe that same courtesy once upon a time. It was a breathtaking scene and thus a remarkable moment for both actors.
When He Overheard Mama Saying She was Scared of Him
Can you imagine a more hurtful moment than hearing your own mother say she’s afraid of you? The beauty of Jesus’ recovery and adaptation to his new life as a disabled individual, is that the series also tackled what it’s like for the loved ones of someone battling a TBI. Jesus was not the same kid. The series managed to address the concerns of a large teenage boy prone to violent outbursts in a house led by women without vilifying anyone. It was a tough subject matter, and it was probably difficult for Centineo to portray and the others to react to, but the series tackled it with aplomb.
His Friendship with Poppy
While it was brief, Jesus’ friendship with Poppy was one of the best of the series. Many of the other male/female friendships on this series may have started off as platonic, but they eventually teased at something or became romantic down the road. Jesus and Poppy’s friendship was strictly platonic, despite Emma feeling threatened on occasion, and it was Jesus at his absolute best as a friend. Neither of them was a poor influence on the other, and it was a healthy, supportive friendship where Jesus was a rock for Poppy during her family’s immigration issues.
When He Lashed Out at Brandon
No, it’s not Jesus’ finest moment taking things out on Brandon to the point of them getting physical. It doesn’t dazzle us in that way. What’s dazzling, however, is the intensity of the scene. The build-up to this moment was like a powder keg waiting to explode. Jesus took all of his fear, anger, and pain out on Brandon while coping with his TBI, and while it wasn’t flattering, it was so human.
When He Had to Stop Himself from Having a Seizure
Jesus’ TBI hampered his ability to participate in typical teen mischief. After going stir crazy and being kept from having any sort of fun, he chose to sneak out with his siblings. Just when it seemed as though he would have a normal time and some happiness and peace, he was on the verge of having a seizure related to his injury. It was a scary moment and one that ripped your heart out, too. It also was another one of those scenes that showcased Centineo’s talent as he continued to excel with this challenging arc.
When He’s Boyfriend Goals
When Jesus fell, he fell hard. He put his all into his romantic relationships, and while they had their difficulties, Jesus’ felt the most healthy compared to most of his siblings (I’m looking at you, Brandon and Callie). Jesus is the doting boyfriend who loves on you all the time, supports you, and occasionally puts you on a pedestal. He’s romantic, sweet, and funny. Sure, we’d all love a Peter Kavinsky in our lives, but a Jesus Foster isn’t too shabby either.
When He Needed Mama Sandwiches
There were multiple scenes that mirrored this one where Jesus felt unwanted, burdensome, or misunderstood after his injury. He often resented the way the family treated him with kid gloves, and it stirred up his life-long feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, or even abandonment. When he feared moms would send him away because of his behavior, or he broke down and ran away from a support group when other people’s issues hit too close to home, the best the moms could do was reassure him how much they loved him and give him mama sandwiches. There was so much angst for Jesus, but it was rarely too much angst to the point of being unwatchable.
When He Knew How to Read a Room
Not only did Jesus know how to read a room, but he knew when to get the heck out of dodge. You have to be impressed with a guy who knows when to cut and run, especially when it comes to an angry woman, or in this instance, a pissed off Mariana. He led the pack and his other siblings followed him shortly after.
When He Wanted to Marry Emma
OK, so deciding you want to spend the rest of your life with someone while you’re still in high school is a bit foolish, but it’s also hopelessly romantic too. Peter Kavinsky isn’t the only role in which Noah Centineo can make you swoon. Jesus Adams-Foster has a few swoon-worthy moments himself. Just saying.
When He and Brandon Made Up
There is no shortage of love and hugs on The Fosters. Jesus and Brandon had the worst fights, but they also had the best makeups. When Jesus finally apologized to Brandon for lashing out at him so often while coping with his injury, it was a relief. It also made fans tear up because it was long overdue. Jesus’ love for Brandon was just as strong if not stronger than any ill feelings he harbored towards him. It was a difficult line to walk on balancing both without tipping too far over either way, but Centineo nailed it.
His Mother’s Day Speech
The final season had the entire Foster clan working through their demons and pasts. A large part of that for Jesus was making peace with his childhood prior to being adopted and knowing that it was the best thing that could have happened to him. Not only was Mother’s Day one of the best episodes of the series, but Jesus reading the letter he wrote to his moms was one of the best moments of the series. He worked hard to regain his ability to read again after his injury; moms needed the reminder that they did the best that they could for him (and all of their kids), and it marked Jesus’ character growth over the course of the series.
His Super Sweet Apologies
Technically, Jesus rearranged he and Emma’s date plans so he could be a good, supportive friend to Poppy. Emma wasn’t pleased, and she was a bit envious, but how can you be mad at a guy who helps a friend in need and apologizes like an adorable puppy? It’s no popcorn bowl removal or pillow fights, but it’s still an adorable couch moment.
When He Bust a Move
The guy is a dork and never misses an opportunity to display it. You may be wondering if I’m talking about the character or the actor. The answer is both. Admit it, this lovable goofball dabbing is too cute, isn’t it?
When He Made Up with Emma at Prom
I mean, read it and swoon, my friends. Read it and swoon. The scene was every bit as romantic as this gif. Jesus Foster can utter a few romantic lines that will make your heart flutter, too. With that face, those sweet words, and that delivery, how could a girl say no? Spoiler alert, she doesn’t.
When He Graduated
After his TBI, it didn’t appear as though Jesus would ever make it back to school let alone through it. Lena’s battle to get the proper help and services for her special needs son was so realistic. In addition to that, Jesus was a fantastic representation of teens with learning disabilities and/or special needs trying to navigate an education system that at times fails them. Jesus’ educational journey was one of the most underrated but realistic of the series. So it was beyond rewarding for Jesus, Lena, and fans when Jesus walked across that stage and got his diploma.
When He Took the Mature Route in His Relationship
Sometimes first loves are not meant to last forever, especially if priorities don’t match up. On the surface, Jesus and Emma were an adorable couple, but their conflicting interests always left them butting heads. They tried too hard to push past all of them, but it wasn’t always fair to either of them. Typically, Emma was the one to make the mature and rational decisions as she followed logic whereas Jesus followed his heart, but in the last episodes of the series, Jesus showed just how much he had grown and matured over the years with how he handled he and Emma’s relationship.
When He Got His Contractor’s License
Jesus was the kid who struggled the most academically due to his learning disabilities. Later on, he struggled more after his accident and due to his TBI. Through his work with Gabe, he found a passion and talent for contract work, and it was a rewarding moment when we found out after the time jump that he successfully received his contractor’s license. For a kid who didn’t know where life would take him after high school, he found a line of work that suited him.
When He had the Best Response to Leaving the Foster Home
Leaving a childhood home is difficult, and in addition to saying goodbye to the Fosters, fans had to say goodbye to their house. The house was like its own character. When Lena became emotional about the family dinners they would no longer have there, Jesus lightened the mood and instilled that quiet wisdom he’s known for too. His response was that they could take the table with them. While he was capable of saying terrible things, he also knew the perfect thing to say during certain moments. It’s one of the most lovable things about his character.
