Eighteen-year-old John Foster of Addis, Louisiana, started his “American Idol” journey by telling judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie that he was an aspiring oncologist. Months later, the college freshman is within arm’s length of becoming a country music sensation and potentially winning the whole competition.

On May 18, 2025, Foster goes up against fellow top 3 contestants Breanna Nix and Jamal Roberts, vying for viewers’ votes during the three-hour, season 23 live finale. His fans will have to vote quickly to keep him in the competition, since the third-place finisher will be announced by host Ryan Seacrest halfway through the show. Here’s how to cast your votes for Foster…

3 Ways to Vote for John Foster to Win ‘American Idol’

Voting will open at the start of the finale at 8 p.m. Eastern time, per ABC, and will close during the last commercial break, around 10:50 p.m. Eastern time. The show airs live coast-to-coast, so fans on the West Coast must tune in and vote starting at 5 p.m. Pacific.

As with past episodes, viewers have three ways to vote. You can cast up to 10 votes for Foster on each platform, totaling up to 30 votes for him.

The first way to vote is through ABC’s website. The second way is via the “American Idol” app, either via Apple for iPhones or via Google for Androids. Both the site and the app require signing in; you can create a free account that works for both or use an existing MyDisney account.

On the website and app, you do not have to wait until your favorite singer performs to vote for them. But if you change your mind as the show goes on, you can change your votes as long as you click to “save” your changes before voting ends for the night.

The third way to vote is via text. You can text Foster’s unique contestant number — 13 — to 21523. As with the other voting options, you can cast up to another 10 votes for him this way.

John Foster Says He Knows He’ll ‘Forever Have a Place’ in Music Industry

DisneyJohn Foster of “American Idol” at Disneyland
When Foster returned to Addis for his hometown visit, he saw billboards and posters supporting him everywhere, according to Baton Rouge station WBRZ, which said he’s become “one of the most recognizable faces in Louisiana.”

“My hometown visit was proof of the fact that even if I were to be eliminated at number 3, I would forever have a place in the industry somewhere,” Foster told the outlet. “Addis, Brusly, Plaquemine, Port Allen, Baton Rouge, you’ve been supporting me in my early days while I was still honing my artistry in those bars, restaurants, and venues.”

“I’ve been saying since I won the golden ticket that I feel like I’ve won,” Foster added. “To think that I’ve continued to progress, all the way up to the top three, is amazing.”

Foster told the station his biggest message for his fans is to “always know that I am so thankful, and let’s keep going.”