John Foster brought the energy and charm to Sunday night’s (May 4) American Idol Top 8 live show with a standout performance of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About.” It was a defining moment in Season 23—and a big leap forward for the rising country star.
The night’s theme, Ladies’ Night, celebrated legendary female artists, and 18-year-old Foster kicked things off in style. Before hitting the stage, he met with this week’s mentor, country icon Miranda Lambert. But their mentoring session came with a fun twist—John admitted she was his childhood crush, sparking a laugh, a blush, and a sweet exchange that had fans smiling.
Miranda encouraged John to bring out the “sass” in the bluesy hit and really own the moment. And from the first note, he delivered. With high energy, natural stage presence, and a big dose of confidence, Foster had the crowd clapping along and the judges cheering.
Carrie Underwood praised his journey, saying, “He’s the one we’ve watched grow the most.” Luke Bryan added, “Your charisma meter is peaking off the charts.”
But it wasn’t just about personality—his vocals stood tall, too. With a gritty, soulful delivery and a modern country twist, Foster gave the 1991 classic new life. The original, written by Shirley Eikhard and made famous by Bonnie Raitt, earned a Grammy for its powerhouse vocals and flirty groove—perfectly suited for Foster’s style.
With America voting live during the coast-to-coast broadcast, John’s performance clearly made an impact. As Ryan Seacrest kept viewers on edge with the results, one thing was clear—John Foster had just given everyone something to talk about.
