John Foster Charms His Way Into the ‘American Idol’ Top 5 with Heartfelt Performances and Disney Magic
John Foster’s journey on American Idol has been nothing short of unforgettable — and it all started with a bold, heartfelt move. The 18-year-old Louisiana native caught everyone’s attention, including judge Carrie Underwood’s, when he dedicated his rendition of Randy Travis’ “I Told You So” to her. That moment marked the beginning of a powerful ascent, and Foster hasn’t looked back since.
Now firmly planted in the Top 5, Foster stands alongside fellow fan favorites Thunderstorm Artis, Slater Nalley, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts. And with each passing week, he continues to prove that his spot is well earned.
A Night of Disney and Deep Emotion
On Monday’s (May 12) Disney-themed episode, Foster leaned into the night’s “heroes and villains” theme with a playful yet vocally sharp performance of “Bare Necessities” from Disney’s The Jungle Book. His easy charm and effortless stage presence made the classic feel brand new, earning praise from all three judges.
But it was the previous night’s performance that truly tugged at heartstrings. Paying tribute to his Louisiana roots — and his mother — Foster sang “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog, a performance packed with hometown pride and soul. Judge Luke Bryan summed it up perfectly with just three words: “Charisma, charisma, charisma.”
Carrie Underwood echoed the sentiment, adding, “No matter what you do, John Foster is John Foster.”
For his second performance of the night, Foster turned inward with an emotional take on Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe,” dedicating it to his mom for Mother’s Day. “That song is so rooted in faith, which is how I see my mom. She’s my faith,” he told Parade. “My prime faith is Christianity, and my mom has built that over so many years. I am so eternally grateful.”
As Foster delivered the powerful ballad, the camera caught his mother in the audience, proudly holding a sign that read, “I believe in you, son,” as tears streamed down her face.
From College Kid to Disneyland Recognition
Life has certainly changed for the Louisiana State University student, who admits he’s still adjusting to his newfound fame. One of the most surreal moments? Getting recognized — not at home in Louisiana, but in California’s Disneyland.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d be recognized at Disneyland,” Foster shared in an interview with NOLA.com. “Like, sure, maybe in Louisiana or Texas, but California? That blew my mind. And sure enough, a bunch of people recognized me. It was crazy.”
From heartfelt tributes to Disney showstoppers, John Foster is carving out a unique path in Season 23 of American Idol. With the Top 3 just around the corner, he’s proving week after week that he’s not just a contestant — he’s a star in the making.
