When 18-year-old American Idol breakout John Foster took the stage on May 4, 2025, fans were already charmed by his cowboy hat, Louisiana drawl, and soulful country vocals. But halfway through the electric two-hour live show, the teen heartthrob casually dropped a bomb that sent thousands of fans into a tailspin.
He pointed to the audience and revealed—yep—his girlfriend was sitting right there. Just behind judge Luke Bryan. Cue the sound of hearts breaking across America.
“Sorry, Ladies—This Cowboy’s Taken”
As the crowd erupted with screams, Bryan joked he could barely hear out of his left ear. Foster, smiling coolly, nodded toward the girl in the crowd who’s had his heart all along: Brooklyn Bourque, his high school sweetheart and longtime No. 1 fan.
Behind this rising country star is a love story that’s as sweet as his slow southern ballads.
The two Brusly, Louisiana, natives graduated from Brusly High School in May 2024. Though it’s unclear exactly when sparks started flying, Bourque shared a throwback photo of them at Homecoming in 2021. She had attended dances with other classmates before, but by the time graduation rolled around, she and Foster were Instagram official—with playful captions like “launching🤜🏻🤛🏻hard” and comments like “yur😜.” Teenage love at its finest.
Now, Foster is a freshman at LSU, majoring in biology with plans to become what he calls a “singing oncologist.” He shared the unusual career dream with Idol judges during his standout audition, and despite the whirlwind of national fame, he’s kept up with his coursework remotely.
It’s not publicly confirmed if Bourque is also attending LSU, but she was senior cheer captain at Brusly and sported an LSU shirt in a 2024 post highlighting her future plans. Whether or not they share classrooms or just FaceTime calls, one thing’s certain: their bond is rock solid.
Always in the Crowd—and in His Corner

From the very beginning of Foster’s Idol journey, Bourque has been by his side. She attended his audition taping, shared behind-the-scenes moments with his massive cheering squad (31 family and friends flew to L.A.), and posted heartwarming captions after every episode.
When Foster made it into the Top 8 on May 4, she shared a smiling selfie of them both—his cowboy hat notably absent—with the caption:
“MY GUY 🤩🤩 So proud of you, I love you 😚 #TOP8.”
Even more touching? Her connection to one of Foster’s most emotional Idol moments. During the Easter special “Songs of Faith,” Foster performed an original ballad titled “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” in tribute to his late friend Maggie Dunn, who passed away in a tragic car crash in 2022. Dunn’s obituary listed Bourque as one of her two “dearest friends,” making the performance deeply personal for both Foster and his girlfriend.
More Than an Idol—A Dream Built on Love
With another live episode airing May 5, Foster is gunning for the Top 7—and no matter where the votes fall, he’s already won in the eyes of many. Not just for his voice or his stage presence, but for the way he carries his values: family, faith, friendship—and a love that’s stayed strong through school dances, spotlight moments, and now, the national stage.
Brooklyn Bourque may not have a microphone, but her support speaks volumes. She’s been there from the start, and judging by the way Foster looks at her—she’ll be there for every milestone to come.