John Foster ended Season 23 of American Idol as runner-up to Jamal Roberts, and he’s not planning to let the momentum slow down anytime soon. Following the live finale on Sunday, May 18, the teenager is already focused on what’s next in his music career.
At the top of his list is promoting his debut single, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” a heartfelt tribute to his late friend Maggie Dunn, who was killed in a car accident. “I’m going to push that out as much as possible,” Foster told TV Insider. “I think it gives people a great idea of who I am as a writer. I wrote that song by myself. It gives people a good glimpse of who I am as an artist and as a writer.”
Beyond the single, Foster is eager to head into the studio to work on his first full-length album. “I love being in the studio,” he admitted, clearly excited about the creative possibilities ahead.
When asked about the idea of joining Dancing With the Stars, Foster said he hadn’t considered it, but didn’t rule it out. “I never really thought about that,” he said. “I’ll tell you this — it’s certainly not a no.”
In the near future, though, he’s simply looking forward to being reunited with a familiar companion. “I’ve been missing my dog, and so I’m super excited to get back home,” he shared with a big smile.
Foster also took the opportunity to clear up a surprising rumor that surfaced after the show. “I’m not related to Dwight Yoakam, nor am I currently signed under any record label,” he clarified, referencing online misinformation that he had signed with Sugar Hill Records through Yoakam. “If you see something about me that’s not from my page (with the blue checkmark), there’s a chance that it may not be true! I hope this helps y’all to know me better as a person now that y’all know more about my music. If you have any questions about me, try commenting them under this post. Either I or someone who knows me well will likely answer you! God bless!”
Despite finishing second, Foster held his head high after Ryan Seacrest announced Roberts as the winner. “I’m extremely happy to be here,” he said. “It’s been such an incredible season. The talent this year has been incredible. To think that I’m No. 2 out of 120,000 [contenders] and out of the Top 24? I mean, the Top 24 this season were the most incredible 24 I’d ever seen in my life.”
Unlike Foster, who learned his final ranking at the close of the show, third-place finisher Breanna Nix was eliminated earlier in the three-hour finale. Asked whether it’s easier or harder to go out earlier in the evening, Nix replied thoughtfully, “I don’t know. I feel like God has ordered every single step that I took on this show, and I feel like it was meant to be this way. I just felt in my stomach that I was going to be the first one out and God just gave me peace.”
Nix had long sensed that Jamal Roberts would win. “I heard [Jamal] singing during the first round in Hollywood,” she recalled. “And I’ll never forget the feeling that came over me. I thought, ‘He’s going to be the winner. He’s going to win.’” At that time, she hadn’t even met Roberts, but she walked over, introduced herself, and asked to record a video predicting his victory. “I said, ‘You’re going to win American Idol, dude, and I want to be the one who called it.’” After the finale, she reminded him of the video. “He’s like, ‘I remember, Breanna,’” she said, adding that she’ll only post the video with his permission.
Both Foster and Nix acknowledged the long legacy of successful artists who didn’t win the American Idol crown, such as Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken. Nix, who recently released her debut single “Higher,” said she already feels like a winner. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’ve grown in so many different areas. That’s such a surreal moment for me. There are so many doors that have opened in just a short amount of time. I’m really excited.”
Looking ahead, Nix said she would love to return to American Idol in a different capacity. “I would love to be a judge,” she shared. “A mentor—anything! American Idol will always and forever have a big special place in my heart.”
Both artists remain philosophical about their final placement and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have made it to the finale. “I feel really good,” Nix said. “I’m ready to get out there, tour, and start celebrating.” Foster, reflecting on his journey and offering advice to future contestants, added, “Please be confident in who you are as an artist. Never accept failure as a final defeat. Never accept defeat. Do not be discouraged. This is the beginning.”
