Night two of American Idol’s Top 24 showdown kicked off with a high-energy performance, setting the stage for what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable season. While fans are counting down the weeks until a new Idol is crowned, there’s still a lot of competition ahead—and it’s up to America to decide who makes it to the finale.
Among the standout contenders is 18-year-old John Foster, the last true country act still in the running. Hailing from Louisiana, John first grabbed the judges’ attention with a classic Alan Jackson hit, “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” Though it was a strong start, Carrie Underwood wanted more from him vocally—and he delivered. John followed up with Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time,” giving the judges a glimpse of the range and emotion he’s capable of.
While the panel had initial doubts about how John would stack up against powerhouse vocalists, he quickly proved them wrong. He breezed through Hollywood Week, surviving two intense rounds of eliminations and earning his spot in the coveted Top 24.
Taking the stage in Hawaii, John paid tribute to his roots with a lively rendition of Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” The crowd loved it, and so did the judges. Luke Bryan called it “a Hawaiian hoedown” and praised John for staying true to himself as an artist. “It was perfect. One of my favorite performances you’ve done,” he said. Lionel Richie echoed the sentiment, applauding his stage presence and song choice.
But John didn’t stop there. For the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” theme night, he switched gears with an electrifying cover of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock.” Before his performance, music legend James Taylor offered some mentorship, encouraging him to loosen up and have fun. John took the advice to heart—adding some playful dance moves to his usual cowboy hat and guitar combo.
Kicking off the performance with a big grin and asking the crowd, “Y’all ready to rock the house tonight?” John brought the energy, the attitude, and a whole lot of charm to the stage—proving he’s got more than just country chops.
From his original audition featuring George Jones and Conway Twitty classics to heartfelt performances of “In Color” by Jamey Johnson and Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon,” John Foster has steadily won over America’s hearts. He even shared an emotional original, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” showcasing his songwriting talent.
With a mix of traditional country soul and modern stage presence, John Foster is shaping up to be a true underdog—and one to watch closely as the competition heats up.
