Marika Kazimierska has been publishing online content since she graduated from Adelphi University in Long Island, New York, in 2013. An expert on celebrity news, pop culture, and reality television, Marika has written for TheTravel.com, NickiSwift.com, and TheList.com.
Originally from Queens, NY, Marika is now living in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan with her husband and German Shepherd, Jager.
Season 23 of American Idol showcased some of the most talented singers from across the country. After weeks of amazing performances and millions of votes cast each night, the season concluded with the winner announced on May 18th in a spectacular live, three-hour episode.
The top three finalists were 25-year-old Breanna Nix, 18-year-old John Foster, and 27-year-old Jamal Roberts. In the first hour, Breanna learned that she had finished in third place. In the end, and after 26 million votes were cast, host Ryan Seacrest announced that Jamal had won Season 23, with John coming in second.
Now that the reality TV show is over, Jamal has seen his life forever changed, marked by the success of his No. 1 hit single. However, as longtime American Idol fans know, finishing second can also be a springboard to a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Jessica Simpson returned to the television after 15 years to do a duet on American Idol and tease her new music.
John Foster Isn’t “Slowing Down” After Becoming American Idol Season 23’s Runner-Up
Season 23 of American Idol concluded on May 18th, where Meridian, Mississippi native, Jamal Roberts, received the most votes from America to be crowned the winner. However, that doesn’t mean that runner-up and Addis, Louisiana resident John Foster’s future as a country artist is over. The 18-year-old isn’t going anywhere despite coming in second. Fans have loved watching John’s renditions of popular country tunes throughout his Idol journey, and these same fans will be excited to know that he isn’t “slowing down.”
After the season ended, John shared, in an interview with Unfiltered with Kiran, that he would continue with a career in music, and that it would begin sooner than later.
“American Idol may be done, but I’m not slowing down. Not even a little.”
John revealed that he already has concerts lined up, saying, “I’ll be back on stage in just a few days at the Cajun Country Jam”—a Louisiana-based country music festival featuring top artists like Dylan Scott and Frank Foster. He even revealed that he had a record deal “in the works,” too.
John is incredibly thankful for his American Idol journey and shared that he was shocked that he made it so far. “I was shook. To be top two? That’s wild. But when Jamal’s name was called, I felt nothing but peace. I was happy for him, and proud of myself, too.”
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John Foster Debuted His Single “Tell That Angel I Love Her” On The Idol Finale
During the American Idol Season 23 finale, the finalists took the stage to sing what would be their debut single. For John, the choice was deeply personal. He selected “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” a heartfelt song he originally performed during the show’s Easter Special on April 20. Written in memory of a close friend who had tragically passed away, the song deeply moved both the judges and viewers at home.
John wrote the song in memory of his friends Maggie Dunn and Carolina Gill, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident on December 31, 2022. His original tune not only moved America to tears but also solidified his status as a true musician, showcasing his remarkable songwriting talent.
“We were juniors in high school, and it was the first time I ever really lost somebody. I wasn’t really locked into music at that point — I was playing around with writing songs, and I was doing gigs — and so, when I lost Maggie, I was like, ‘OK, I need to write a song about this,’” Foster said at the finale. “That day, that was the defining moment. It wasn’t the very first song [I ever wrote], but it was just my first song with a big punch to it, where I actually knew, ‘OK, this is something I need to pursue.’ That song was like, ‘OK, I need to be a musician.’”
John continued, “That’s my song. I wrote that all by myself and I’m so proud of it, and it’s the most beautiful and yet the most horrific thing I’ve ever created. I was so glad to do it on the show, too, because it shows who I am as an artist down at the core. I wrote it, I’m singing it, and to sing it for [Maggie] as well was just such an honor.”
The day after Idol concluded, John’s debut single was at the No. 3 position on the iTunes charts.
Carrie Underwood Championed For John Throughout His Idol Journey
John impressed all three judges with his country vocals, but it was American Idol alum and Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood who championed him throughout the season.
In an interview with People, Carrie shared that she was a big believer in John because of his remarkable progress week after week. “He’s so sweet and fresh faced and he’s one of those people that I feel like… don’t even really know how good you are kind of thing,” she shared. “Week to week, we have watched him progress so much. We were talking after his performance, me, Luke [Bryan] and [Lionel Richie] and we were just saying he’s probably the one that has grown the most since he’s been here.”
| American Idol Top 3 finalists | Age | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Jamal Roberts | 27 | Meridian, Mississippi |
| John Foster | 18 | Addis, Louisiana |
| Breanna Nix | 25 | Denton, Texas |
Additionally, Carrie felt a strong motherly connection to John, even comparing him to her oldest son. “When he’s over there singing to me, I kind of feel like a proud mom. He’s very good,” she shared.
In his interview with Unfiltered with Kiran, John was incredibly grateful that Carrie took him under her wing and believed in him. “She was in our shoes once. She started just like me and look where she is now. She’s been such an inspiration,” he shared. “And Lionel Richie, man, he’s like a life coach. And Luke Bryan, just a good Southern dude. Having someone like that in my corner meant a lot.”
Fans can look forward to a debut album that promises to showcase even more of John’s originality, which was what made audiences fall in love with the rising country star.
