It’s only been a short while since American Idol crowned its Season 23 winner, but runner-up John Foster and third-place favorite Breanna Nix are already feeling a little nostalgic — and missing a key figure from their Idol journey: Ryan Seacrest.
In a heartwarming and humorous moment captured on Instagram, the fan-favorite duo reunited ahead of their performance at the 19/BMG American Idol Takeover in Nashville on June 4. The pair stopped by Seacrest Studios, where Nix shared a playful video captioned with:
“We miss you @ryanseacrest ☹️😔💔 @americanidol @officialjohnfoster @ryanfoundation #idol #seacrestudios #funny.”
In the clip, Nix and Foster can be seen bantering about how much they miss the longtime Idol host.
“I really miss Ryan,” Nix confessed.
“He’s such a great guy,” Foster replied.
“I just miss Ryan like a lot. It’s really sad,” Nix added — just before spotting a life-sized cardboard cutout of Seacrest nearby.
Fans were quick to react with joy and laughter, with one writing, “You could tell what loving hearts you had on ‘American Idol.’” Another chimed in, “The show wouldn’t be the same without Ryan!”
Even Seacrest himself joined in the fun, commenting:
“I froze from being star-struck. Thanks for coming by Seacrest Studios!”
From Idol Stage to Music City Milestones
While they may miss Seacrest and the Idol family, Nix and Foster are wasting no time turning their momentum into career-defining moves.
At the 19/BMG American Idol Takeover concert, both delivered standout performances that showed just how far they’ve come. Breanna brought down the house with her powerful single “Higher,” which has quickly become a fan favorite on digital streaming charts. Foster, meanwhile, leaned into his country roots with a commanding stage presence that solidified his place as a rising star in Nashville.
The concert was stacked with talent, featuring fellow Season 23 artists Jamal Roberts, Gabby Samone, Mattie Pruitt, Kolbi Jordan, and Thunderstorm Artis. Fan-favorite alumni like HunterGirl, Wé Ani, Colin Stough, and Will Moseley also took the stage.
Next Stop: The Grand Ole Opry
This week marks a huge milestone for both artists: their Grand Ole Opry debuts.
Breanna Nix will take the iconic stage on June 5, followed by John Foster on June 7 — fulfilling lifelong dreams for both.
“This has been on my bucket list forever,” Nix wrote on Instagram.
“There is no more significant place to my passion (country music) than the Grand Ole Opry,” Foster shared, calling it his “#1 dream.”
More Than Just a Competition
The continued friendship and professional chemistry between Foster and Nix serve as a testament to the deeper connections formed on American Idol. While the cameras may have stopped rolling, their story — and their careers — are just getting started.
Whether it’s their playful Seacrest tribute, viral duets, or emotional upcoming performances at the Opry, one thing is clear: Breanna Nix and John Foster are two voices country music fans won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
