Louisiana’s John Foster Stuns Nation, Secures ‘American Idol’ Finale Spot—Hometown Erupts in Celebration!

Louisiana’s John Foster is headed into Sunday night’s “American Idol” grand finale after another magical “Disney Night” on Monday’s “Idol” episode.

Host Ryan Seacrest announced Foster as the first finalist of three headed into Sunday. Foster will be singing against stay-at-home mom Breanna Nix, of Denton, Texas; and teacher Jamal Roberts, of Meridian, Mississippi, to become Season 23’s winner.

Seacrest also mentioned that Foster would be getting a hero’s welcome home to Addis. The parade in Foster’s honor is slated to start at 5 p.m. Wednesday, along First Street in Addis and end with a concert on the waterfront in Plaquemine at 7:30 p.m., according to WBRZ, Baton Rouge’s ABC affiliate.

John Foster performs on “American Idol’s” Disney night May 11.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER WILLARD/DISNEY

For the second of two “Disney Nights,” this one focusing on its memorable heroes and villains, the Addis teen chose to perform the jolly tune “Bare Necessities” from Disney’s classic film “The Jungle Book.”

Looking dapper in a pale pink shirt embossed with green leaves over a forest green blazer and blue jeans, Foster started the song’s slow verse before breaking into the uptempo chorus.

“What a fan base. And man, you got ’em, you got ’em right where you want ’em, man,” judge Luke Bryan told Foster after the studio audience eventually quieted down. “You got the fans and you got us as judges. And I tell you, there’s a reason why you’re getting recognized when you’re at a Disney park is ’cause you’ve got, you’ve got a thing, you’ve got a look, you’ve got a sound that you’ve been getting better at week after week. And that was a perfect, perfect example right there.”

Judge Lionel Richie likewise praised the LSU premed student.

Addis contestant John Foster sings the song ‘Believe’ to his mom during ‘American Idol’s’ ‘Disney Night’ on Sunday, also Mother’s Day.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER WILLARD/DISNEY

“You know, I think you’ve tapped in on the source. You got that likability, you know, I mean that’s what it’s all about,” Richie said. “A lot of people think it’s just about singing, but people have to come to like you. Yeah. And they fall in love with you. I don’t know what the hell it is, but this, but you’re doing alright, kid.”

Judge Carrie Underwood explained that she had been trying to figure out what the country version of “The Jungle Book” might be.

“But I heard what the soundtrack would sound like. I mean you took such a fun song that’s you know, a part of my childhood and made it your own, put your spin on it and it was just a good time,” Underwood said. “I mean, what can I say? That was fun.”

Just prior to the performance, video clips chronicled Foster and his family enjoying Disneyland Resort last week, riding rides, munching on beignets and yes, being recognized.

Louisiana singer John Foster soaks in the applause after a performance on ‘American Idol’ on Sunday night, the first of two ‘Disney Nights’ on the ABC singing competition series.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER WILLARD/DISNEY

“Walking through the French Quarter at Disneyland is giving me a little tiny taste of my home,” Foster tells the camera. “Got to eat a little bit of beignets, which was awesome. I never expected to go to Disneyland and get recognized by anyone. My family has been so incredibly supportive of me. They sacrificed so much and given so much to me, and so it’s great to be able to give them an experience like this.”

For his second Disney song of the night, Foster performed “The Rainbow Connection” from Disney’s 1979 “The Muppet Movie,” noting that his favorite artist, Willie Nelson, had done a cover of the song.

Mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda steered Foster toward putting less of Nelson into his performance and more of himself.

“They’re speaking to you, Johnny boy,” Bryan began his critique. “I mean, listen, you’re everybody is gunning for one another. Everybody’s doing great performances and, like I said, at this point we’ve seen you go all over the map and that was a different look. And, and I agree with Lin-Manuel. You know, we’re glad you weren’t copying anybody. It was authentically you and great job on that.”

Louisiana’s John Foster, right, takes in an ‘American Idol’ mentoring session with the award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda at Disneyland Resort last week.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY ERIC McCANDLESS/DISNEY

Richie then told Foster he was totally in love with the timbre of his voice.

“I think that I call it instant identity. I know that’s you on your first note and that’s what makes an artist,” he said. “The difference between a singer and a stylist is I know your voice in three notes. That’s what you want to have for the rest of your career. And you have one.”

“So I remember your audition coming in and I felt like I had this diamond in the rough standing right in front of me and I had to do a little convincing,” Underwood added. “Yeah, fellow judges. But I love that you’re standing here right now proving me right. And I’m going to tell you right now, if you ain’t real careful, you might just win this whole thing.”