Country singer John Foster, just 18 years old, lit up the American Idol stage on Sunday night (May 4) with a lively take on Bonnie Raitt’s hit “Something To Talk About.” His performance kicked off the show’s special Ladies Night episode—a celebration of legendary female artists.
Known for leaning into his classic country roots, John took a slight detour with this song choice. Before taking the stage, he had a heartwarming moment with country superstar Miranda Lambert, who served as this week’s mentor—and who also happened to be his “first crush.”
“John walked in with his little cowboy hat, his western shirt, and his guitar, and told me I was his first crush,” Lambert shared with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Okay, I love you.’”
John admitted he was a bit starstruck during their rehearsal, joking that he couldn’t even look at her while singing. But Miranda quickly eased his nerves by jumping in and singing along, creating a moment he’ll likely remember forever.
Once on stage, John’s performance wowed both the audience and the judges. His cover of the Raitt classic showcased his growing confidence and stage presence—traits that have steadily won him fans week after week. As one of the few country artists still in the competition, he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite, especially after his emotional Easter performance of his original song “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which landed a spot on the iTunes country chart.
Following his performance, the judges didn’t hold back their praise.
Carrie Underwood beamed, “I feel like you are the one we’ve watched grow the most. Every time you hit the stage, you seem more at home, more connected with the crowd…I just love watching you evolve.”
Luke Bryan chimed in with a grin, “Your charisma meter is peaking off the charts right now.”
