After delivering some Cajun food to the judges as a sign of Louisiana hospitality, John kicked off his American Idol audition with a lively take on “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” It was a fun, personality-filled performance, but judge Carrie Underwood wanted to see more emotional depth.
That’s when John launched into Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time,” slowing things down and revealing a different layer to his artistry. Luke Bryan even chimed in during the second verse, turning the performance into an impromptu duet. The chemistry was undeniable.
Luke ultimately voted yes, admitting, “The second song changed my mind.” Still, he tempered his praise, saying, “I don’t know if it’s vocally there to make it through many, many rounds of American Idol, but you’ve got a lot of great tools.”
Those tools carried John all the way to the Season 23 finale — defying early doubts and capturing hearts with his authenticity, storytelling, and undeniable Southern charm.
In fact, Foster didn’t just make it to the finale — he became the most popular contestant in American Idol history. From record-breaking YouTube views to sold-out fan meetups and massive social media followings, his impact on the show was unmatched. Week after week, he led in fan polls, with audiences responding not just to his voice, but to his honesty and emotional depth.
Here’s a look back at each of John Foster’s key performances throughout the season. Each song is followed by YouTube views (as of midnight Saturday) and Idol Chatter’s grade.
