John Foster isn’t just climbing the American Idol ladder; he’s doing it with heart, humility and a voice that’s shaking the country music scene. During the show’s “Iconic Idol Moments” week, John delivered a powerful rendition of “I Told You So” by Randy Travis; a song that Carrie Underwood famously covered herself. And as she sat at the judge’s table, watching John sing it directly to her, Carrie had one thing to say: she felt like a proud mom.
At just 18, John chose a track that carried pressure and legacy. He knew it was bold, especially with Carrie sitting right in front of him, but he didn’t shy away. Instead he leaned into the challenge, pouring everything he had into the lyrics and ending the song with a respectful tip of his cowboy hat to the woman who once sang it before him.
John Foster | I Told You So | Top 12 Perform | American Idol 2025
Carrie wasn’t just impressed; she was moved. In an interview, she shared that John reminded her of her own son. “When he’s over there singing to me, I kind of feel like a proud mom,” she said. That’s the kind of emotional impact John’s performance had; not just technically strong, but deeply personal and full of heart.
And it’s not the first time he’s stunned the judges. Just a week before, he lit up the room with a fun and flirty version of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About,” where his girlfriend Brooklyn cheered him on from the crowd. That night proved John could bring both charm and vocal power and America loved it.
John Foster | Something To Talk About | Top 10 Perform | American Idol 2025
Earlier in the season, his high-energy take on “Callin’ Baton Rouge” cemented his status as a country favorite, pulling fans in with a magnetic performance that felt more like a headline concert than a competition.