Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Foster reached the Top 10 following his performance of Randy Travis’ 1987 song “I Told You So.”
Carrie Underwood is expressing her admiration for John Foster from American Idol!
In a roundtable interview with PEOPLE following the live show on April 28, the “Before He Cheats” singer shared why she feels particularly fond of the contestant.
“He’s so kind and has such a fresh vibe, and he’s one of those people who doesn’t fully realize just how talented he is,” Underwood, 42, explains.
She continues, “We’ve seen him improve tremendously each week. After his performance, Luke [Bryan], Lionel Richie, and I were talking, and we all agreed that he’s probably the contestant who’s shown the most growth since joining the show.”
Underwood thinks the Idol audience “adores him” and there are “so many reasons to cheer for him.” However, for the “Jesus Take the Wheel” singer, there’s a personal bond that makes her connection to Foster even deeper.
“He reminds me a lot of my oldest son,” Underwood shares, referring to her two boys, Isaiah, 10, and Jacob, 6, whom she has with husband Mike Fisher. “When he’s singing, I can’t help but feel like a proud mom. He’s really talented.”
On Monday night, Foster, 18, performed Randy Travis’ 1987 hit “I Told You So,” a song Underwood herself covered for her 2007 album Carnival Ride. Toward the end of his performance, Foster walked over to the judges’ table and serenaded Underwood directly.
Looking back on that moment, Foster explains that Underwood was the main reason he chose the song — and he felt it was important to sing it directly to her.
“The fact that she was sitting there on the panel… the pressure was definitely on. She has such an incredible version of the song, but I knew I had to sing it to her. I wanted to show America my passion for the song and for music by connecting with her,” he shares.
Alongside Foster, the Top 10 includes Josh King, Jamal Roberts, Mattie Pruitt, Thunderstorm Artis, Slater Nalley, Gabby Samone, Canaan James Hill, Kolbi Jordan, and Breanna Nix.
On April 20, Foster moved Idol viewers with his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which he wrote in memory of a friend who passed away unexpectedly in 2022.
“You’ve been a bit of a wildcard for me from the start, but what you just did there completely erased any doubts I had that you belong here,” remarked the “Kick the Dust Up” singer.
“You’ve got country in your voice, but you’re also a storyteller,” Lionel Richie added. “Whether it’s old, new, or somewhere in between, it was so genuine. I heard every word of your story, and that’s what great music is all about.”