With each passing week on American Idol, John Foster has not only continued to impress with his musical talent but also grown a loyal and passionate fanbase. As his popularity skyrocketed, so did the curiosity surrounding his background, leading to a wave of misinformation spreading on social media. In response, the 18-year-old singer took to Facebook to address the rumors and share more about who he really is. In a heartfelt post, Foster clarified three key points: he is indeed 18 years old (not 24), he was born and raised in Addis, Louisiana—not Benton, Kentucky—and he is not related to country music star Dwight Yoakam nor signed to any record label, including Sugar Hill Records, despite online speculation. “For the sake of all of my family (followers) getting to know me better,” he wrote, “I’d like to clear up some misinformation that has been spreading on Facebook.”
He addressed three of the most common rumors:
- He’s 18 years old—not 24.
- He’s from Addis, Louisiana—not Benton, Kentucky (in fact, he’s never even been to Kentucky).
- He’s not related to Dwight Yoakam and has not been signed by Sugar Hill Records, despite some viral posts claiming otherwise.
Foster’s Louisiana roots have remained central to his identity. During his Idol audition, he paid tribute to his heritage by bringing personalized coolers filled with Cajun food for each judge, a gesture that reflected his warmth and authenticity. A proud graduate of Brusly High School’s Class of 2024, where he served as valedictorian, Foster has since pursued music full time, describing his style as “Neo-Traditional.” He’s also a devout Catholic Christian, and his faith plays a foundational role in both his life and music.
One of the most powerful moments of the season came when Foster performed his original song “Tell That Angel I Love Her” on the April 20 episode. The emotional ballad was written in memory of his close friend Maggie Dunn, who was tragically killed in a car accident on New Year’s Eve 2022. Maggie, along with her friend Caroline Gill, died when a police officer, chasing a suspect, ran a red light and struck their vehicle at high speed. Maggie’s younger brother, who was also in the car, survived but was seriously injured. Foster’s connection to Maggie was profound—they had been friends for years, and she had long encouraged him to pursue his musical dreams. According to Maggie’s mother, who was present during the performance, Foster still carries a letter Maggie wrote for a junior English class, where she told him to never give up on his dream because he had true talent.
Despite the buzz around him—including widespread interest in his background and rumors of record deals—Foster has remained grounded and eager to connect with his fans. He encouraged them to reach out with questions and promised transparency, saying, “Either I or someone who knows me well will likely answer you! God Bless!” With his place in the American Idol Top 10 secured, fans are more excited than ever to see what comes next for this talented young artist from Louisiana.
