It looks like John Foster and Jamal Roberts are owning the moment on American Idol right now — and not in the way the producers might have expected.
Despite not getting the coveted “pimp spot” — you know, that big final performance that usually gets all the hype — they’re the ones racking up the serious numbers. And it’s not even close.
Over the past two episodes, John and Jamal have consistently pulled the biggest YouTube audiences, just trading places at the top from one night to the next. And honestly, the numbers tell the whole story.
John Foster absolutely blew everyone away with his original song, Tell That Angel I Love Her, a gut-wrenching tribute to classmates he lost in a tragic accident. As of early Sunday morning, his video had already topped 600,000 views — a jaw-dropping figure when you realize that no other contestant from those episodes even cracked 350,000.
Meanwhile, Jamal Roberts wasn’t far behind. His stunning rendition of Jason Nelson’s Forever locked down the second spot for Sunday’s Top 20 performances. Then, when the Top 14 performed on Monday night, Jamal flipped the script, grabbing the top spot with his electrifying version of Try a Little Tenderness, pulling in more than 300,000 views. John’s soulful cover of Brooks and Dunn’s Neon Moon wasn’t far behind, notching over 280,000 views.
It’s clear: these two aren’t just performing — they’re connecting. Their emotional authenticity and vocal power are cutting through the noise and capturing the audience’s attention in a way that feels organic, not manufactured.
While some performances might have been handed better placements on the show, it’s Foster and Roberts who are creating real, lasting moments — and the fans are showing up for them in a big way.
