John Foster may have finished as the runner up to Jamal Roberts for the 2025 season of American Idol, but that doesn’t mean his dreams aren’t coming true.
The 18-year-old country crooner released his first single, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” via 19 Recordings, the show’s record label partner, he had the opportunity to sing with Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan, but the big one is that he will make his Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday.
“The first time I went to the Opry, I fought back tears because I was so overwhelmed with joy. As an amateur country music historian, there is no more significant place to my passion (country music) than the Grand Ole Opry. This has been my No. 1 dream ever since I started music, and now, because of your support, my dream will come true! I will NEVER be able to express my gratitude! Glory be to God! ❤️”
John’s fellow Idol alumni were quick to respond. Thunderstorm Artis wrote, “Brother!!! Congratulations!!! I’ll have to come watch for sure.”
And third-place finalist Breanna Nix wrote, “LETS GO ❤️🔥”
John’s June 7 Opry show comes three days after he’ll join Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts, fellow finalist Breanna Nix, and other recent Idol contestants at a free show in Nashville.
“This will be my first ‘official’ appearance in Music City, which is quite the milestone!” he wrote in another Instagram post.
In addition to his single “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” John also released his first post-Idol video, a performance of “Amazing Grace.”
“I thought it fitting that my first Post-Idol music video be ‘Amazing Grace’, because it’s His Grace that’s brought me this far,” he wrote. “This is a raw, one-take recording, and every lyric, including the Cajun French chorus, is a thank you to God. Thank you Fable House for capturing this moment.”
Foster performed “Amazing Grace” a couple of times on American Idol, including a portion performed in Cajun French, during his hometown visit on the show, when he sang for lawmakers at the Louisiana State Capitol on May 14.
John’s initial American Idol audition song “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” by Alan Jackson didn’t win him a Golden Ticket to Hollywood, but Carrie Underwood saw his potential and asked him to sing a second song that showed off his vocals better. He selected “Goodbye Time” by Conway Twitty and that did the trick. It turned what would have been Luke Bryan’s no vote to a yes and took John all the way to the American Idol finale.
