The saying “third time’s the charm” rings especially true for Louisiana musician John Foster.

The 19-year-old singer from Addis captured the hearts—and votes—of viewers on American Idol earlier this year. He advanced to the finale, finishing as the runner-up. And though he had a great journey, Foster reveals to 225 that season 23 was actually his third shot at the show.

Foster first attended open auditions at age 15 but didn’t make it past the initial producer round. He tried again in 2023 but was cut before singing in front of the celebrity judges.

“There was this little voice that said ‘Do it one more time,’” Foster says. “Although the human side of me was like, ‘Absolutely not. I’m not failing again.’ … I’m super, super glad that God put my path this way.”

Since winning over Idol fans with his traditional country sound, crooning renditions of hits like “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” and his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” written in memory of a close friend, Foster has hit the ground running.

It’s June when I catch up with Foster over Zoom, and he’s in Nashville, hot off his Grand Ole Opry debut.

Foster performing on season 23 of “American Idol.” Photo by Eric McCandless. Courtesy Disney.

“The Grand Ole Opry has been my No. 1 goal ever since I started music, and I achieved that goal because of American Idol,” he says. “I did not get the crown. But I feel like I got the crown in country music.”

Foster’s first musical foray took place during a power outage at his family’s camp in 2020. There, Foster found the courage to belt out during a karaoke hangout, finding comfort in the dark. Soon, he was playing with local bands. In 2021, the then-15-year-old was gifted a guitar. And in 2022, he performed his first solo gig.

Now, he’s in talks to secure a record deal—another reason for his Nashville stay this summer. But don’t expect Foster to abandon his roots.

An Addis guy through and through, Foster says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the community who rallied behind him, many of whom were among the more than 10,000 at his homecoming performance on American Idol. And while his sophomore year is on hold, Foster says he still aims to earn a degree from LSU.

As we chat, Foster talks fondly of his hometown and the Cajun food he’s missing from his family’s shop, Benoit’s Country Meat Block. He’s also excited for shows at iconic Capital Region venue the Texas Club this month and the new Boots on the Bayou festival in Gonzales this fall.

“Don’t think that I’m going to be staying here, holed up in Nashville, or playing way around the place where (local fans) can’t see me. I will be around,” Foster says. “Home will always be Louisiana, no matter where I’m at. And if I have anything to say about it, I’ll die in Louisiana.”