“American Idol” hometown visits have become a permanent fixture of the show’s finale, with the Top 3 finalists returning to the place that raised them for fun-filled parades and concerts.
Season 23 runner-up John Foster recently marked one year since his hometown visit back to Louisiana, where thousands of supporters showed up to celebrate his Idol success. However, seeing the over 14,000 fans also made him realize that his music dreams were truly becoming a reality. It’s a moment that many former Top 3 Idol contestants can relate to.
John Foster Reflects on His Hometown Visit on ‘American Idol’
“American Idol” season 23 runner-up John Foster is fondly looking back at his hometown visit to Louisiana. Taking to Instagram, the country singer hailing from Addis, admitted that he “sobbed tears of gratitude” when he was met with over 14,000 fans from his community who supported him throughout the competition.
Foster shared a carousel of photos, including a snapshot of him being surrounded by hundreds of fans as he walked to the stage for a performance. Another photo featured a sign that read “Home of American Idol’s John Foster Benoit.” Lastly, Foster shared a photo of himself in tears on stage, overwhelmed by the love and support of his fans.
“On this day last year, I stood in front of over 14,000 people and sobbed tears of gratitude on what was officially declared “John Foster Day” in the State of Louisiana,” his caption began.
“An interstate was stopped for my motorcade, I was given the keys to all of my local cities, I received presidential treatment at our State Capitol for the presentation of my proclamations from both the State House and State Senate, visited local schools, met hundreds of people, and finished the night playing for over 14,000 lovely supporters.”
Foster added that he was “grateful” for the people who “showed up” and “voted” for him so that he could make it to the Top 3. “This entire journey has been beyond any of my dreams, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store this year and hopefully many more years to come,” he said.
Foster also promised fans that he has “exciting things in the works,” as the day had him feeling incredibly touched and appreciative of those fans who stuck by him since Idol.
Foster’s Traditional Country Sound Took Him to the Top 3
Foster had quickly become a fan favorite on his season of “American Idol.” He won over fans with his old-school country style and classic twang, typically singing songs of iconic country singers like Alan Jackson and Randy Travis.
His original song, “Tell That Angel That I Love Her,” dedicated to two friends he had lost in a car accident, resonated deeply with viewers, and fans loved his heartfelt performances. The song also became Foster’s debut single.
Foster made it to the Top 3, up against Breanna Nix of Texas and Jamal Roberts of Mississippi. Foster became the season’s runner-up after Roberts took home the Idol win.
Since his time on “American Idol,” Foster has continued to perform across the U.S. and has performed on country music’s most iconic stage, the Grand Ole Opry, 10 times.
When he is not performing his own music, Foster returns to his favorite artists, covering some of their most memorable country classics, which fans can watch in full on Foster’s YouTube channel.
