Introduction
Just six weeks after his audition aired on American Idol, 18-year-old John Foster is emerging as a serious contender. With his heart set on becoming both a singer and an oncologist, John’s journey on the show has been nothing short of inspiring—and he’s now aiming for the top spot.
John first caught the judges’ attention with a lively cover of Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.” While it was enough to turn heads, it didn’t quite seal the deal. Judge Carrie Underwood asked for something that would better highlight his vocal range.
Rising to the challenge, John offered a heartfelt rendition of Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time.” The judges still had reservations, but in the end, they awarded him a Golden Ticket. Luke Bryan expressed his doubts but ultimately changed his mind. “I don’t know if vocally it’s there to make it through many, many rounds of American Idol, but I think you’ve got a nice voice,” Luke admitted. “It’s a yes. I went from a no to a yes.”
Despite early uncertainty, John has steadily proven himself. Week after week, his calm presence and heartfelt country vocals have gained traction with viewers—especially country music fans who see something familiar and authentic in him.
On Monday night, John delivered a moving performance of George Strait’s classic “I Cross My Heart.” The song, chosen by Carrie Underwood, was intended to highlight his warm baritone while staying true to his traditional country style. For John, it was more than just another performance—it was a moment of emotional connection. “I’ve never really had a love song I could sing and mean it,” he said, before dedicating the performance to his girlfriend, who watched proudly from the audience.
After his performance, Carrie couldn’t hold back her praise. “That was absolutely perfect,” she told him. “Hearing you sing that song, it felt comfortable, it felt genuine. I feel like this is one of your best performances, John, and it made me so happy.”
Even Luke Bryan, who had once doubted John’s potential, publicly admitted his mistake. “I was scrolling through TikTok and saw a clip of me saying I wasn’t sure if you could sing well enough during your audition. And man, no one has ever proved me more wrong than you, and I’m so proud,” he said sincerely.
Check out John Foster’s powerful performance of “I Cross My Heart” below—it’s a moment you don’t want to miss.