Country music fans had reason to cheer on Monday night (April 21) as John Foster officially joined the Top 14 contestants of American Idol Season 23, thanks to overwhelming support from viewers across the nation.
Foster, known for his soulful vocals and classic country style, first stole the spotlight during Sundayโs Easter-themed โSongs of Faithโ special. There, he performed an original song titled โTell That Angel I Love Her,โ a powerful tribute to his late friends Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill, who tragically lost their lives in December 2022 after their vehicle was struck by a police officer who ran a red light.
Foster ended his performance with the heartbreaking line: โI love you, Maggie.โ Visibly emotional, he held back tears as he explained the songโs story to the judges, pointing to Maggie and Carolineโs parents, who were present in the audience.
Fans across social media praised the performance as one of the best of the night:
โI donโt even remotely like country, but that was the best of the night!โ
โGreat job, John Foster! America saw your heart and soul tonight.โ
Lighting Up the Stage With โNeon Moonโ
On Mondayโs results episode, host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Foster had received enough votes to be one of the Top 10 contestants moving forward, with four additional spots filled by the judgesโ wildcard picks.
To celebrate, Foster returned to the stage with a soul-stirring rendition of the Brooks & Dunn country classic, โNeon Moon.โ
With his signature southern twang and heartfelt delivery, Foster transformed the Idol stage into a Friday night honky-tonk, earning cheers and praise from both the audience and the judges.
Viewers described him as a:
โReal country artistโ with a โpure old country voice.โ
Even judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan sang along to the hit, visibly enjoying the performance. When Foster finished, all three judges stood for a standing ovation, sealing the moment as one of the nightโs most memorable highlights.
Watch the Performance That Has Everyone Talking
John Foster is proving to be one of the breakout stars of this American Idol season. From his emotional tribute to his friends to his electrifying performance of โNeon Moon,โ his authenticity and talent are winning over fans week after week.
Watch his nostalgic and unforgettable cover below โ and donโt forget to SHARE this story with friends and family on Facebook!
Stay tuned for more updates as the Top 14 battle it out for a spot in the next round of American Idol!