Eighteen-year-old John Foster of Addis, Louisiana, began his American Idol journey by surprising judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie with an unexpected twist—he was an aspiring oncologist. Fast forward a few months, and the college freshman now stands on the brink of becoming a country music star and potentially taking home the Season 23 title.
On May 18, 2025, Foster will face off against fellow finalists Breanna Nix and Jamal Roberts during the live, three-hour finale. With the third-place contestant likely to be revealed midway through the show by host Ryan Seacrest, Foster’s fans will need to vote early and often to keep him in the running.
Voting opens as soon as the finale begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time and will close during the final commercial break around 10:50 p.m. Eastern. The show airs live coast-to-coast, which means fans on the West Coast must tune in and begin voting at 5 p.m. Pacific.
There are three ways fans can vote for John Foster. First, through ABC’s website, where voters can log in using a free or existing MyDisney account. Second, via the official “American Idol” app, available on both Apple and Android devices. Both platforms allow fans to submit up to 10 votes and change them throughout the show as long as changes are saved before voting ends.
The third method is by text. Fans can text Foster’s contestant number, 13, to 21523 and cast another 10 votes. Altogether, supporters can submit up to 30 votes for Foster using all three options.
Foster’s hometown visit was a powerful reminder of how far he’s come. Returning to Addis, he was met with posters, billboards, and overwhelming support from the community. Local station WBRZ described him as one of Louisiana’s most recognizable faces, and Foster himself reflected on the experience with deep appreciation.
“My hometown visit was proof of the fact that even if I were to be eliminated at number 3, I would forever have a place in the industry somewhere,” he said. “Addis, Brusly, Plaquemine, Port Allen, Baton Rouge—you’ve been supporting me in my early days while I was still honing my artistry in those bars, restaurants, and venues.”
Foster also said that just getting this far already feels like a victory. “I’ve been saying since I won the golden ticket that I feel like I’ve won,” he explained. “To think that I’ve continued to progress, all the way up to the top three, is amazing.”
He ended with a heartfelt message to his fans: “Always know that I am so thankful, and let’s keep going.”
