As John Foster’s star continues to rise following his unforgettable second-place finish on American Idol Season 23, one thing remains constant: his girlfriend and high school sweetheart, Brooklyn Bourque, has been by his side through it all.
High School Sweethearts, Nashville Dreams
John and Brooklyn first met as students at Bursly High School in Addis, Louisiana, and graduated together in May 2024. While it’s unclear exactly when their romance began, their relationship became “Instagram official” shortly after graduation, when Brooklyn posted a cozy snapshot with John. Since then, they’ve celebrated a full year of dating—a milestone John marked publicly with a heartfelt tribute:
“It’s been an amazing year and you’ve been beside me every step of the way. Happy 1 year anniversary. I love you so much.”
From the classroom to the Idol stage, Brooklyn has remained a steady presence. She attended multiple live shows, traveled to Hawaii for his Top 24 performance, and joined John in Nashville for CMA Fest, where he’s been performing alongside fellow Idol alumni.
From “Cutie Patootie” to Country Crooner
Brooklyn’s admiration for John has been loud and proud on social media. When his audition episode aired, she shared photos and gushed:
“EEEKKK!!! He’s going to Hollywood!!!! SO proud and grateful to be by your side on this awesome journey. You amaze me everyday and I am so lucky I get to love a cutie patootie like you 😆”
She was there when John stunned the judges with his emotional performances, especially his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which he wrote in memory of his dear friend Maggie Dunn, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2022. The connection was even deeper knowing that Brooklyn was one of Maggie’s two “dearest friends,” as noted in Maggie’s obituary.
Life After Idol: Music, Med School, and More
At just 18, John Foster is balancing two big dreams: pursuing music and becoming a doctor. Now a freshman biology major at LSU, John has continued his coursework online while navigating the whirlwind of Idol fame. He once described his dream as becoming a “singing oncologist,” using music and medicine to heal.
Brooklyn, who was a cheerleading captain at Bursly High, also appears to be attending LSU, as she wore an LSU T-shirt in a senior send-off post from her cheer team in 2024. Though she keeps a relatively low profile, her support for John has been unwavering and joyful.
Headed to the Grand Ole Opry
Now in Nashville for CMA Fest, John performed with other Idol finalists on June 4, and is gearing up for a milestone of his own—his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 7. Brooklyn joined him in Music City, commemorating the trip with a sweet Instagram selfie from Music Row, captioned with a red heart emoji and John’s tag.
