John Foster was scrolling through Instagram when he saw it: a direct message from Randy Travis. At first, he thought it had to be fake—some fan account playing tricks. But it wasn’t. It was the Randy Travis, one of his musical heroes, reaching out just to say he’d been watching and was proud.
“I just sat there in disbelief,” John said. “It brought me to my knees.”
For the 18-year-old from Addis, Louisiana, that message meant more than any headline, rumor, or trending video. In the middle of the whirlwind that is American Idol, a quiet moment of encouragement from a country legend was everything.
From Small Town to Center Stage
John has become one of Season 23’s breakout stars—partly because of his voice, partly because of that ever-present cowboy hat, but mostly because of his heart. He’s made it to the Top 5 not by chasing trends, but by staying true to his roots: faith, family, and music with meaning.
“No, I haven’t signed anything yet,” he shared, addressing the growing buzz about record deals. “Right now, it’s all about the music—and staying focused on where I am.”
But make no mistake: where he is is big. His social media following has exploded—from just a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of fans who’ve fallen in love with his story and sound. “This show is like rocket fuel,” John joked. “It’s a blessing, but it’s intense.”
A Voice That Moves People
It’s not just his voice that’s turning heads—it’s the way he sings with real emotion. When he performed “Believe,” his mom was in the audience in tears, right alongside the judges. Then, on Disney Night, he completely shifted gears, lighting up the stage with a joyful take on “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog.
That ability to move between heartbreak and hope is part of what makes John special. He’s not just singing songs—he’s telling stories.
Still the Same Kid at Heart
Even with the fame and fanfare, John’s kept his feet on the ground. He recently helped raise over $5,000 for cancer research and spent time connecting with fans during downtime at Disneyland. Whether in a studio or at a fundraiser, he’s showing people who he really is: a kind, humble guy who just loves music.
And that message from Randy Travis? It reminded him why he started—singing gospel in church, picking his guitar on his grandparents’ porch, and dreaming that maybe one day, his songs would matter.
He’s met some of his biggest inspirations along the way—Josh Groban gave him calming advice before a big performance, and Jelly Roll and Miranda Lambert offered words of encouragement he’ll never forget.
Just Getting Started
John Foster may be close to the Idol finale, but he’s just beginning his journey. Whether or not he takes home the trophy, one thing’s clear: this is an artist with staying power.
As he said with a smile, “I’m almost there… but the best part’s still ahead.”
