In just five weeks, American Idol will crown a new champion. But before the finale, several rounds of eliminations still lie ahead. As in previous seasons, Season 23 contestants will advance each week based solely on America’s vote.
The Top 24 took the stage at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii on Sunday and Monday, each hoping to earn a place in the coveted Top 20. Sunday’s episode featured 12 performers, including Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, and Baylee Littrell. The remaining half of the Top 24 had their chance to shine on Monday night.
Among those performers was John Foster, currently the only true country artist left in the competition. Hailing from Louisiana, John first grabbed the judges’ attention during auditions with a spirited rendition of Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.” While Luke Bryan was enthusiastic, Carrie Underwood felt the song didn’t fully showcase his vocal abilities and asked him to sing something more dynamic.
John followed up with Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time,” a performance that, while still met with some reservations, helped secure his place in the next round. The judges remained unsure if his traditional country sound would stand out in a season dominated by powerhouse vocalists.
But those doubts didn’t last long. John breezed through Hollywood Week, surviving two intense eliminations as the contestant pool shrank from 144 to 24.
When it came time for his performance in Hawaii, John leaned into his roots with a lively cover of Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” Dressed in laid-back island attire and backed by a high-energy band, John delivered a performance that felt as much like a backyard jam session as it did a national competition.
The judges took notice. Luke Bryan called it “a Hawaiian hoedown,” and praised the song choice.
“It really complimented who you are as an artist. You’re a Louisiana boy singing songs that speak that. It was great. It was perfect. One of my favorite performances you’ve done,” he said.
Lionel Richie also praised John’s energy and authenticity on stage, noting that his performance felt both natural and exciting.
John Foster may have entered the competition as an underdog, but with charm, consistency, and a strong connection to his genre, he’s quickly carving out a path toward the finale.
