Addis, Louisiana is beaming with pride—and for good reason. Their very own John Foster, the 18-year-old country singer with a heart of gold, is returning home after earning a spot in the Top 3 on American Idol. Before he takes the national stage one last time in Sunday’s finale, his hometown is pulling out all the stops to celebrate his incredible journey.
Set for Wednesday, May 14, John’s homecoming will include a festive parade through Addis and a special concert along the Plaquemine waterfront. Foster, a freshman at LSU and former valedictorian of Brusly High School, has become a local legend overnight—and his community is determined to give him a celebration that matches the heart and grit he’s shown on stage.
Excitement is everywhere in West Baton Rouge Parish. Crews are decorating First Street, signs cheering John are popping up all over town, and students at Brusly High are proudly wearing school colors in his honor. Plaquemine Mayor JB Barker says the energy is “buzzing all across south Louisiana,” and the crowd is expected to be more than 5,000 strong.
The fun kicks off at 5 p.m. as John rides through town waving from a float. Then, in a true Louisiana twist, he’ll hop on a boat and cruise down Bayou Plaquemine to meet fans for a free live concert starting at 7:30 p.m. at Foundry Street. He’s set to perform six songs—one more chance for fans to see him shine before he returns to Hollywood. (Heads up: there’ll be security checks and a clear bag policy in place.)
From playing small shows at local spots like Side Porch Daiquiris to singing his heart out on American Idol, John’s rise has been nothing short of inspiring. Whether it was a touching tribute to his late friend Maggie Dunn or a sweet dedication of George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart” to his girlfriend, he’s wowed both fans and judges with his sincerity and charm. Judge Carrie Underwood even called him a “diamond in the rough” with serious star potential.
Now, John is just one performance away from possibly becoming Louisiana’s next Idol winner—following in the footsteps of Laine Hardy, who took the crown in 2019. He’ll go head-to-head with fellow finalists Breanna Nix and Jamal Roberts during the live finale on Sunday, May 18.
In a message to fans, John recently shared: “Louisiana, I’m coming home for you!” And with a celebration this big, it’s clear his home couldn’t be prouder. No matter what happens in the finale, John Foster’s already a hometown hero—and his story is just getting started.
