Country teen sensation John Foster kicked off the May 4 American Idol Top 10 show with a performance that had everyone talking — literally. Stepping a little outside his usual classic country style, the 18-year-old Louisiana native took on Bonnie Raitt’s hit “Something To Talk About” and made it his own during the show’s first-ever Ladies Night tribute, celebrating iconic women in music.
Before hitting the stage, John got the chance to meet country superstar — and this week’s mentor — Miranda Lambert, who also happened to be his childhood crush.
“John walked in with his little cowboy hat, his western shirt, and his guitar, and told me I was his first crush,” Lambert said with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Okay, I love you.’”
John admitted he was a little starstruck and nervous during rehearsal, even finding it hard to look Miranda in the eyes while singing. But she quickly put him at ease by singing along with him — a sweet, once-in-a-lifetime moment he won’t forget.
When it came time for the live performance, John lit up the stage. His smooth vocals, confident energy, and natural charisma wowed both the crowd and the judges, showing just how far he’s come since his audition.
While Foster’s roots are in traditional country, this performance showed his range and growth — and it paid off. After all, he’s already earned praise for his emotional original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which he performed on Easter. The touching tribute reached the iTunes country chart and won him even more fans along the way.
Following his Bonnie Raitt cover, the judges couldn’t stop smiling.
Carrie Underwood told him, “I feel like you are the one that we have watched grow the most throughout this entire process. Every single time you step out on the stage, you feel more comfortable, you’re working the stage more, you’re connecting with the audience more…I love that. I just feel like you’ve grown so much.”
Luke Bryan chimed in with a grin: “Your charisma meter is like peaking off the charts right now.”
With his mix of charm, heart, and stage presence, John Foster continues to shine — proving that he’s not just a standout in the competition, but a rising star to watch.
