With his smooth country vocals and old-school charm, Louisiana’s John Foster is fast becoming American Idol’s breakout country star. The 18-year-old from Addis delivered a soul-stirring cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe” this week, showcasing a voice and presence that felt straight off the country charts.
Foster’s rendition wasn’t just a performance — it was a moment. His rich, warm tone and crystal-clear pitch captured the heart of the original while adding a youthful, sincere twist that made it uniquely his. Viewers across the country compared it to a polished studio track and flooded social media asking, “Where can we buy this?”
“This is radio-ready. I’d buy this version today,” one fan tweeted.
But Foster’s momentum didn’t start — or stop — with “Believe.” Just days earlier, he clinched his spot in American Idol’s Top 14, thanks to America’s vote. He marked the milestone with another Brooks & Dunn classic, “Neon Moon,” lighting up the stage with a confident performance that blended classic country soul with Gen Z energy.
At just 18, Foster has demonstrated a rare mix of natural star power, emotional maturity, and timeless style — and the country music world is taking notice.
“He’s got that it factor,” judge Luke Bryan said after Foster’s Top 14 reveal. “He makes country feel new again.”
Meanwhile, fellow contestant Baylee Littrell, an LSU student and son of Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell, saw his Idol run come to a close this week. His emotional rendition of John Legend’s “All of Me” drew praise from Carrie Underwood, who applauded his growth — but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the competition.
As Foster heads into another week of live shows, fans are already imagining his future on country radio — and possibly beyond. With two Brooks & Dunn hits under his belt and an authentic stage presence that’s winning hearts nationwide, he’s proving that Louisiana’s next big star may already be here.
