American Idol took a moment to honor moms across America on Mother’s Day (May 11). One special moment came when Louisiana native John Foster took the stage to sing a rendition Brooks & Dunn’s 1991 hit “Believe.”
The song is not particularly easy to sing, as it features some spoken-word elements in the lyrics, as well as rafter-shaking notes.
Foster was well up to the challenge and delivered a flawless cover that had many of the audience members — and even judges Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie — lifting their hands in praise.
The camera zoomed in on Foster’s mother, who was in the audience holding a sign that read “I believe in you, son,” which was a reference to his song choice.
At first, she’s singing along with the biggest smile on her face, as seen in video below, but it’s not long before she’s wiping tears from her eyes.
Who Is John Foster on American Idol?
Foster has sung his way into the Top 5 on this season of American Idol. He’s an 18-year-old from Addis, La., so it’s no surprise that for Sunday’s episode he chose two songs with Cajun flavor.
Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn is from Shreveport, La.
It was also Disney Night on Idol and Foster elected to sing “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog soundtrack. The movie is set in New Orleans.
Who Is in the Top 5 on American Idol This Season?
With the conclusion of the May 11 episode, the show’s roster is down to just five contestants. Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis remain, in addition to Foster.
Season 23 continues with another round of Disney Night on Monday (May 12) before concluding in a grand finale on Sunday, May 18.
Remaining ‘American Idol’ Contestants: Season 23
Here is who is left on American Idol, Season 23 after Sunday’s (May 5) Top 7 episode.
Starting with the Top 24, this list will be updated whenever contestants are cut from the ABC reality TV show. The American Idol finale is May 18.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
Amanda Barise
AmericanIdol.com
Amanda Barise
From: Manhattan, N.Y.
Age: 27
Notes: Amanda Barise is an alt-jazz and R&B singer from Manhattan who has been winning vocal competitions since she was a young girl.
Baylee Littrell
AmericanIdol.com
Baylee Littrell
From: Alpharetta, Ga.
Age: 22
Notes: Baylee Littrell is Backstreet Boys star Brian Littrell’s son.
Breanna Nix
AmericanIdol.com
Breanna Nix
From: Denton, Texas
Age: 25
Notes: An inspiring part of Breanna Nix’s story is her weight loss journey since giving birth to her son, Emerson.
Canaan James Hill
AmericanIdol.com
Canaan James Hill
From: Dallas, Texas
Age: 17
Notes: Canaan James Hill is one of the youngest contestants on American Idol Season 23.
Ché
AmericanIdol.com
Ché
From: Essex, England
Age: 28
Notes: Ché’s full name is Che Chesterman and he previously tried out for X Factor UK.
Desmond Roberts
AmericanIdol.com
Desmond Roberts
From: Orange County, Calif.
Age: 26
Notes: Desmond Roberts first tried out for American Idol 10 years ago!
Drew Ryn
AmericanIdol.com
Drew Ryn
From: Chino Valley, Ariz.
Age: 28
Notes: Drew Ryn has a nice advantage over other American Idol contestants: Her TikTok following is over two million strong.
Filo
AmericanIdol.com
Filo
From: Dublin, Calif.
Age: 23
Notes: Filo’s full name is Filo Ebid and he’s originally from Egypt.
Gabby Samone
AmericanIdol.com
Gabby Samone
From: Baltimore, Md.
Age: 23
Notes: Gabby Samone got an early endorsement when she appeared on the Jennifer Hudson Show as an artist to watch in 2022.
Grayson Torrence
AmericanIdol.com
Grayson Torrence
From: Providence Forge, Va.
Age: 21
Notes: Grayson Torrence is one of several singers on this season of American Idol who overcame bullying as a child.
Isaiah Misailegalu
AmericanIdol.com
Isaiah Misailegalu
From: Las Vegas, Nev.
Age: 17
Notes: Isaiah Misailegalu’s other interests include football and volleyball.
Jamal Roberts
AmericanIdol.com
Jamal Roberts
From: Meridian, Miss.
Age: 27
Notes: Jamal Roberts is a father to two and a PE teacher in Mississippi.
John Foster
AmericanIdol.com
John Foster
From: Addis, La.
Age: 18
Notes: John Foster is one of two LSU students on American Idol this year (Baylee Littrell). He’s relied on traditional country music to this point.
Josh King
AmericanIdol.com
Josh King
From: Matthews, N.C.
Age: 24
Notes: Josh King is a talented pianist who impressed American Idol judges with a cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Kyana Fanene
AmericanIdol.com
Kyana Fanene
From: San Leandro, Calif.
Age: 28
Notes: Kyana Fanene was one of the winners of The Kelly Clarkson Show‘s Kellyoke talent search.
Kolbi Jordan
AmericanIdol.com
Kolbi Jordan
From: Tulsa, Okla.
Age: 26
Notes: Kolbi Jordan was one of the Platinum Ticket recipients for Season 23.
Mattie Pruitt
AmericanIdol.com
Mattie Pruitt
From: Eagleville, Tenn.
Age: 16
Notes: When Mattie Pruitt auditioned for American Idol, singer Craig Campbell joined her on stage.
MKY
AmericanIdol.com
MKY
From: East LA, Calif.
Age: 25
Notes: MKY’s real name is Mikey Jimenez.
Olivier Bergeron
AmericanIdol.com
Olivier Bergeron
From: Kedgwick, New Brunswick
Age: 23
Notes: Olivier Bergeron is Canadian and has released several projects, including some in French.
Penny Samar
AmericanIdol.com
Penny Samar
From: Williamsport, Pa.
Age: 23
Notes: Since singing Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” on American Idol, Penny Samar has started to use #PinkPennyClub on social media.
Slater Nalley
AmericanIdol.com
Slater Nalley
From: Atlanta, Ga.
Age: 18
Notes: Slater Nalley made judge Carrie Underwood cry when he performed a song called “Traces of You” during his audition.
Thunderstorm Artist
AmericanIdol.com
Thunderstorm Artist
From: Haleiwa, Hawaii
Age: 29
Notes: Thunderstorm Artis previously finished third on The Voice on NBC.
Victor Solomon
AmericanIdol.com
Victor Solomon
From: Peoria, Ill.
Age: 26
Notes: Victor Solomon also did well on The Voice, finishing fifth in 2021.
Zaylie Windsor
AmericanIdol.com
Zaylie Windsor
From: Safford, Ariz.
Age: 18
Notes: Carrie Underwood compared Zaylie Windsor to Taylor Swift.
2025 ‘American Idol’ Stars’ Stunning Salaries Revealed
The new season of American Idol is just about to begin, and the stars of the show will be raking in some pretty impressive salaries. Read on to see what judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood will earn in 2025, as well as host Ryan Seacrest.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
American Idol Season 23 Stars
Mike Coppola, Getty Images
‘American Idol’ Season 23 Stars
(L-R) Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Ryan Seacrest are set to appear on Season 23 of American Idol.
Lionel Richie: $10 Million
Yui Mok/WPA Pool, Getty Images
Lionel Richie: $10 Million
According to reports, the veteran pop singer-songwriter is the low man on the American Idol totem pole, earning a salary of $10 million per season of the iconic show.
Luke Bryan: $12 Million
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Luke Bryan: $12 Million
Luke Bryan earns a reported $12 million each season in his role as a judge on American Idol, making him one of the highest-paid judges in the history of the show. That’s $4 million more than the $8 million per year that Keith Urban earned when he judged the show.
Carrie Underwood: $10 Million-$12.5 Million
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Carrie Underwood: $10 Million-$12.5 Million
Carrie Underwood is the newest judge to join American Idol, and various reports have placed her salary between $10 million and $12.5 million.
Ryan Seacrest: $12 Million
Dia Dipasupil, Getty Images
Ryan Seacrest: $12 Million
Ryan Seacrest reportedly negotiated for a salary of $12 million per year when he returned to host American Idol in 2017. It’s unknown if he has renegotiated for a larger salary in subsequent seasons.
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