John Foster went all out for the American Idol Season 23 finale, and it showed. The 18-year-old country standout lit up the stage with a passionate performance of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” bringing heartfelt energy and deep respect to the patriotic anthem.
Dressed in red, white, and ready to win, Foster sang with conviction, earning an enthusiastic standing ovation from all three judges.
“That was the perfect song choice, and you absolutely nailed it,” Lionel Richie told him, clearly impressed. Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan echoed the praise, both noting how far Foster has come since his very first audition.
Though Foster’s performance was a standout, the finale was packed with big talent. Fellow finalists Jamal Roberts and Breanna Nix also delivered powerhouse moments, leaving the final decision in the hands of America’s voters.
John Foster’s Emotional New Single: “Tell That Angel I Love Her”
In the lead-up to the finale, each top 3 finalist dropped a brand-new single. Foster’s original track, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” struck a deep emotional chord. The song was inspired by a heartbreaking moment in his life—the loss of two friends in a tragic car accident.
“I wrote this for the two sweet angels that were taken from us on New Year’s Eve,” he shared. “Maggie was one of my best friends, and Caroline was a good friend I wish I’d gotten to know even more.”
Foster first performed the song during Idol’s Songs of Faith week, where it moved both the judges and viewers to tears. On Instagram, he called it “the most instrumental song I’ve ever sung in my life.”
Foster Reflects on His Idol Journey
Whether he walks away with the title or not, Foster already feels like a winner.
“Ever since I got that golden ticket, I’ve felt like I’ve won,” he told a local news outlet in Louisiana. “To be standing here in the top three—it’s just unbelievable.”
As for how he’s stayed grounded through the whirlwind, Foster gives credit to his faith.
“I’ve really had to stay focused on who I am, my purpose, and keep my faith at the center of everything,” he told nola.com. “That’s what’s keeping me steady through it all.”
