At just 18 years old, American Idol contestant John Foster has become one of the most talked-about performers of Season 23. With his refreshing take on timeless classics and an unmistakable vocal style, Foster has consistently captivated judges and fans alike โ earning praise that suggests he may be headed all the way to the winnerโs circle.
โRainbow Connectionโ โ A Dream Reimagined
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For his first performance on the second Disney Night episode, Foster selected โRainbow Connectionโ from The Muppet Movie. At first, guest mentor Miranda Lambert encouraged him to dig deeper into the meaning of the song and form a more personal connection.
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And he delivered.
Seated center stage with his acoustic guitar, Foster gave a stripped-down, heartfelt version that felt less like a performance and more like a conversation. Through every note, he told a story of hope, dreams, and perseverance โ all wrapped in soft, sincere vocals.
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Luke Bryan acknowledged the competitive heat of the night, saying, โEverybodyโs gunning for each other and doing great, but you stayed true to yourself โ and it worked.โ
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Lionel Richie called Foster โa true stylistโ with a voice thatโs โrecognizable and unique.โ
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Carrie Underwood, beaming with pride, said: โIf youโre not careful, you could win this whole thing.โ
โThe Bear Necessitiesโ โ A Playful Power Move
Fosterโs second performance showed off a different side โ fun, energetic, and crowd-pleasing. His rendition of โThe Bear Necessitiesโ from The Jungle Book started with a soft groove before kicking into a lively swing that had the audience clapping along.
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Carrie Underwood smiled, calling it a โfun throwback to childhood.โ
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Richie praised Fosterโs โoff-the-charts likability.โ
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Bryan said the young singer had โfound a look and sound that people are clearly connecting with.โ
With charm, presence, and smart song choices, Foster proved heโs not just versatile โ heโs strategic.
Top 3 Announcement: Foster Heads to the Finale
After a night of back-to-back standout performances, host Ryan Seacrest took the stage to reveal the results of over 19 million votes cast by viewers across the country.
The Top 3 finalists for American Idol Season 23 are:
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John Foster
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Jamal Roberts
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Breanna Nix
Sadly, Thunderstorm Artis and Slater Nalley were eliminated โ but their journeys left a lasting impact on the season.
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The Road to Victory: Next Stop, the Finale
With the American Idol Season 23 finale set to air on May 19, 2025, John Foster is now just one performance away from potentially claiming the title. Heโll return to his hometown for a heroโs celebration and prepare for one last chance to win Americaโs vote.
From heartfelt ballads to joyful Disney classics, Foster has shown range, emotion, and authenticity โ and with millions now watching closely, the question remains:
Could John Foster be Americaโs next Idol?
Watch both of John Fosterโs performances below and see why everyone is talking about this rising star.
