When Louisiana native John Foster first auditioned for American Idol, judge Luke Bryan wasn’t exactly sold. In fact, he hesitated to send Foster to Hollywood at all, questioning whether the young singer had the vocal chops to compete with the best.
Fast forward to Monday night’s episode, and Foster silenced every doubt — especially Bryan’s — with a powerful, heartfelt performance of George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart.” The performance wasn’t just a hit with fans; it led to a full-circle moment for Bryan, who openly admitted he was wrong.
Watch the video below
“I was just scrolling through TikTok the other day and saw a clip of myself doubting you at your audition,” Bryan said, visibly moved. “And I gotta say — no one has ever made me eat my words quite like you.”
Foster’s journey has been full of surprises. During his Top 14 bid, he wowed the judges with an original song, earning more praise from Bryan, who called him a “wildcard” and said that performance erased any lingering doubts.
This week’s episode marked the return of the fan-favorite “Judges’ Song Contest,” where each judge anonymously selected a song tailored to each contestant. The singers then had to choose one of the three mystery tracks. Foster gravitated toward “I Cross My Heart,” which was later revealed to be the pick of former Idol winner and guest judge Carrie Underwood.
The judges racked up points each time a contestant chose their song. By the end of the night, Bryan and Lionel Richie were tied with three picks apiece — a draw that earned them the power to save one contestant from elimination. Left at the bottom were Josh King and Mattie Pruitt. In a nail-biting moment, Bryan and Richie opted to save Pruitt, sending King home.
As for Foster? Not only did he survive the cut — he may have just cemented himself as a frontrunner.
Next up, the Top 7 prepare for a two-night Disney-themed showdown airing Sunday and Monday. And if Foster keeps this momentum, there’s no telling how far he’ll go.
Want to know more about the girlfriend who’s been cheering the loudest for John? We’ve got that story too.
