John Foster’s American Idol journey started with a warm dose of Southern charm — and a plate of Cajun food for the judges. That Louisiana hospitality earned smiles right away, but it was his performance that truly began to tell the story.
He kicked things off with a lively version of “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” bringing plenty of energy and personality. But Carrie Underwood, serving as guest judge, was curious to see if there was more depth behind the fun exterior.
John didn’t hesitate. He followed up with a heartfelt rendition of Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time,” and suddenly, everything changed. Slowing things down, he revealed a more emotional, vulnerable side — and it struck a chord. Luke Bryan was so moved he jumped in for an impromptu duet during the second verse, creating a moment fans wouldn’t forget.
Luke admitted afterward, “The second song changed my mind,” though he added, “I don’t know if it’s vocally there to make it through many, many rounds of American Idol — but you’ve got a lot of great tools.”
Turns out, those “tools” were more than enough.
John not only made it to the Season 23 finale — he became one of the most beloved contestants in Idol history. With record-breaking YouTube views, sold-out fan meetups, and a social media following that exploded overnight, he connected with fans in a way few contestants ever have. Week after week, he topped fan-voted polls, not just for his vocals, but for his honesty, heart, and deep connection to every lyric he sang.
Now, let’s take a walk down memory lane through John Foster’s unforgettable Idol run — from his very first audition to his finale performance. Below, you’ll find each of his key performances, complete with YouTube view counts (as of midnight Saturday) and performance grades from Idol Chatter.
