ADDIS — From a tiny Louisiana town to the glittering lights of Hollywood, John Foster’s rise on American Idol wasn’t just a personal dream realized—it was a family legacy in motion. And no one felt it more deeply than his mother, Amanda Benoit.

In an emotional and wide-ranging interview, Amanda reflected on her son’s long road to national recognition—one that began not in front of a TV camera, but in the quiet corners of their home, on a Zoom audition during the height of COVID in 2021.

 

“He didn’t make it past the open call that first time,” she recalled. “But I’ll never forget how excited I was. I left work early that day. We had everything set up, and my heart was pounding. I just had so much faith in him—even when he didn’t quite believe in himself yet.”

That early setback didn’t stop John. A year later, he made it through the initial rounds but was eliminated before he even reached the judges. But by then, something had shifted. His local shows began selling out. His confidence bloomed. And so did the music.

In 2024, Idol producers invited him back.

This time, John Foster soared into the top 10, selling out venues, performing at the Grand Ole Opry, and melting hearts nationwide—especially with his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” a tribute to his best friend Maggie Dunn, who was killed in a tragic crash on New Year’s Eve 2022.

“I think Maggie knew his potential before John Foster even did,” Amanda emotionally. “She believed in him and pushed him to go after this dream. She was his person. After she died, music became his therapy.”

Amanda said watching her son perform that song on the Idol stage was one of the hardest, yet proudest, moments of her life. “He carried Maggie with him. Every word of that song—she was there.”

Maggie wrote a letter to John that he treasures. “Never give up on your singing dreams. Your voice is too good to go unheard,” she wrote.

 

“He never stopped being John Foster”

Amanda’s pride isn’t just in her son’s voice, but in his character.

“He never changed to fit what someone else thought he should be. He went through Idol just being John Foster. And I was scared they wouldn’t see that—see him for who he really is. But they did. America saw the John I know.”

That authenticity, Amanda believes, is why people from all walks of life connected with him. She’s still catching up on countless messages from fans of all ages—some elderly, some very young—sharing how John’s humility, kindness, and respect made them believe again in the next generation.

“He’s got little boys tipping their hats and standing for the anthem. He’s got older folks messaging me just to say, ‘thank you for raising him this way.’ That’s what hits my heart.”

A family affair

John’s success has been a full family effort. His sister, Elizabeth, even postponed her wedding to travel and support him.

“She’s been his number one cheerleader besides me. They’re just two and a half years apart and incredibly close. She’s like a second mom sometimes—always in his corner, telling him, ‘You can do this.’”

Even five-year-old Presley, John’s youngest sister, beams with pride when her big brother takes the stage.

The Grand Ole Opry: A dream come true

Amanda vividly remembers the moment she watched her son step into the famed circle at the Grand Ole Opry, a place John had dreamed of since he was a kid.

“I often look up and think, ‘Why me? Why did I get chosen to be his mom?’ But when I saw him walk to that circle… I just cried. He did this. He earned every bit of it.”

John’s now a repeat performer at the Opry, with two more shows booked—including one on his 19th birthday this July.

 

More than just a TV show

Through it all, Amanda keeps returning to one word: grateful.

“American Idol gave him the stage, but John’s heart gave people something to hold on to. He’s just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next.”