American Idol Season 23 has been full of surprises, but one contestant has stood out from the very beginning—John Foster. At just 18 years old, this college student from Addis, Louisiana, has now made it to the Top 3. He’s heading into the finale, and there are many signs pointing to the fact that he might just win the whole competition.
John first caught everyone’s attention during his audition when he sang “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” by Alan Jackson. The judges—Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan—were impressed. But when Carrie asked him to show more of his vocal range, he followed it up with a beautiful performance of “Goodbye Time” by Conway Twitty. That second song really showed what he could do, and it earned him a golden ticket to Hollywood.
As the season went on, John kept giving strong performances. During Disney Heroes & Villains Night, the Top 5 contestants—John, Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, Slater Nalley, and Thunderstorm Artis—battled it out for a spot in the finale. In the end, it was John, Breanna, and Jamal who got the most votes and moved forward to the Top 3.
With the finale just around the corner, here’s why John has a real shot at becoming the next American Idol.
He Has a Beautiful Voice and Delivers Every Time
From the moment John stepped onto the stage, his voice has been something special. His country tone is clear and smooth, and he sings with real emotion. During Hollywood Week, he sang “In Color” by Jamey Johnson and joined Clara Rae for a duet of “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez. Both performances helped him move forward to the Top 24.
As the live shows began and America started voting, John kept shining week after week. His song choices were always strong, and he managed to connect with every performance. Some highlights include “Callin’ Baton Rouge” by Garth Brooks, “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn, and “I Told You So” by Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis. He even performed his own original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which was a touching tribute to a friend he lost.
In every round, John showed a mix of emotion, control, and talent. Even when he stepped outside his comfort zone—like when he performed without his guitar—he still looked and sounded confident. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s one reason why he’s a fan favorite.
He Puts His Own Spin on Every Song
What makes John even more special is how he makes each song feel like his own. No matter what genre he’s given, he finds a way to add his country touch. Whether it’s a rock song like “Jailhouse Rock” or something from a Disney movie like “The Bare Necessities,” he turns it into something that fits his style.
He even sang “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog, a nod to his Louisiana roots, and gave it a country twist. That kind of creativity shows how much he understands who he is as an artist. He’s not just singing the songs—he’s living them.
John reminds many people of Carrie Underwood back when she was on the show. Like her, he knows who he is as a performer. He has a strong identity, and that helps him connect with the audience. It’s easy to imagine his performances turning into hit songs on a country radio station.
Country Singers Often Do Well on American Idol
Being a country singer might give John a bit of an edge. American Idol has a long history of country artists going far in the competition. Just think of past winners like Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, and Noah Thompson. Even those who didn’t win—like Lauren Alaina or Gabby Barrett—still went on to have big careers.
John fits right in with those names. He has that old-school country feel that fans love. Carrie herself even said he reminds her of legends like Dwight Yoakam. There’s nothing fake about John—he’s a true country artist, and that honesty shows in his music.
He Has Real Star Power
When John is on stage, it feels like a concert. He has a calm, confident energy that makes people want to watch. He looks relaxed and happy, and his smile lights up the room. Whether he’s strumming his guitar or standing alone at the microphone, he always seems in control.
He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not. He doesn’t overdo it. Instead, he lets the music speak, and that’s part of what makes him so charming. He looks like someone who belongs on stage—and that’s exactly where he’s headed.
People Connect With Him
More than anything, John comes across as a genuine person. He’s kind, humble, and down-to-earth. That really came through when he sang his original song about his late friend. The emotion in his voice was real, and it touched a lot of people.
He also sang “I Cross My Heart” for his girlfriend, Brooklyn, showing another side of his personality. That honesty and sincerity have made fans root for him—not just because he’s talented, but because he’s relatable.
Final Thoughts
As the finale of American Idol Season 23 approaches, John Foster has everything going for him. He’s talented, original, and true to himself. He’s given us one great performance after another, and he’s never once strayed from who he is.
Whether it’s his heartfelt vocals, his ability to make any song his own, or his natural charm on stage, John has shown that he’s ready for the next big step. If he wins, it won’t be a surprise—it will be well-deserved.
The American Idol Season 23 finale airs Sunday, May 18, at 8 p.m. on ABC.
