John Foster may not have taken home the American Idol crown, but he’s walking away from Season 23 as a breakout star—and with one of the most memorable journeys the show has ever seen.
The 18-year-old Louisiana native came in second during the emotional, three-hour finale, with Mississippi’s Jamal Roberts winning the title and Breanna Nix finishing third. But as the confetti fell and the lights dimmed, Foster’s name continued to echo across social media and living rooms nationwide—and for good reason.
“I was shook,” Foster said with a laugh after the show. “To be top two? That’s wild. But when Jamal’s name was called, I felt nothing but peace. I was happy for him, and proud of myself, too.”
Over the course of the season, Foster won hearts with his authenticity, powerful vocals, and emotional storytelling. His tribute to late friend Maggie Dunn became a turning point in the competition and left both the judges and viewers in tears. From a small-town teen with a guitar to a nationally recognized talent, Foster’s transformation was as inspiring as it was real.
“This is just the beginning”
Now, with a record deal in the works and his fanbase growing fast, Foster isn’t slowing down. “It’s in the works,” he said of the legal steps involved with signing. But even before the ink dries, Foster is already booking shows.
“I’ll be back on stage in just a few days at the Cajun Country Jam,” he said, grinning. “American Idol may be done, but I’m not slowing down. Not even a little.”
“They were my idols—and now they’re my mentors”
Throughout the season, Foster credited his evolution to the mentorship he received from the show’s judges, especially Carrie Underwood.
“She was in our shoes once. She started just like me and look where she is now,” he said. “She’s been such an inspiration. And Lionel Richie—he’s like a life coach. And Luke Bryan is just a good Southern dude. Having someone like that in my corner meant a lot.”
He also shared that fellow Louisianan and Idol alum Laine Hardy gave him meaningful advice before the season: “Laine told me to be true to myself. I carried that with me the whole way.”
“From November to now, I feel like I’ve grown 10 years”
Reflecting on his journey, Foster said the growth he’s experienced—musically, spiritually, personally—has been profound.
“I was a kid in November. I’m still young, but I feel like I’ve grown in every way. I’m more confident, more grounded, more grateful.”
He also pointed to Maggie Dunn’s belief in him as a catalyst for everything that followed. “She saw something in me I didn’t see in myself. That letter she wrote me, it changed everything. That moment—that song—I credit it with launching my career.”
“That’s the hot question everybody’s been asking me”
Fans were quick to speculate online that Foster may have glimpsed the results card before Ryan Seacrest announced the winner. When asked directly, Foster responded with honesty and humility:
“That’s the hot question everybody’s been asking me, and I’ve been telling them the same thing—it was all a blur. Whether I saw it or didn’t, I genuinely don’t know. There were cameras everywhere, five and a half million people watching… you don’t register what’s happening in that moment.”
He emphasized that for him, the outcome didn’t define the experience: “It wasn’t about sneaking a peek. It was about knowing I gave it everything I had—and being proud of the journey.”
Looking ahead
With the finale behind him, Foster is focused on the future.
“Studio time. New music. More shows. I want to touch lives on a bigger scale. That’s my mission,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s not about titles. It’s about using your gifts to make the world better. That’s what I’m chasing.”
He smiled, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. “Little old me made it this far. Just imagine what’s next.”
