LUKE BRYAN EATS HIS WORDS ON LIVE TV: American Idol Underdog John Foster FORCES a Shocking Apology After Blistering Performance That Flipped the Judges’ Table and Ignited the Crowd

In a jaw-dropping twist on American Idol, country superstar and longtime judge Luke Bryan was forced to publicly walk back his earlier doubts after contestant John Foster delivered yet another electrifying performance. Week after week, Foster has defied expectations, but this time he reached new heights—earning a standing ovation and silencing every critic in the room. Now proudly holding a spot in the Top 7, Foster isn’t just competing—he’s rewriting the narrative. And Luke’s words said it all: “I underestimated him… and I won’t do it again.”

Watch the full moment that left the judges speechless and fans roaring for more.

When John Foster first stepped into the American Idol spotlight, not everyone was convinced he had what it took to go the distance — including Luke Bryan himself.

During his original audition, the country judge reluctantly gave Foster a golden ticket, expressing concern about whether the Louisiana native had the vocal power and polish to survive the competition.

Fast forward to the Top 8 live episode on May 5, 2025, and it’s safe to say — John Foster has silenced every doubt.

 A Country Classic Becomes a Career-Defining Moment

On Monday night, Foster delivered one of his strongest performances to date, singing George Strait’s timeless ballad “I Cross My Heart.” What began as a soft, sincere tribute to his girlfriend quickly grew into a masterclass in vocal storytelling — earning him thunderous applause and emotional praise from all three judges.

But the most shocking reaction came from Luke Bryan himself, who publicly admitted that he had underestimated Foster.

“I was doing my daily TikTok scroll,” Bryan said, “and I saw a clip of me saying I didn’t think you could sing good enough at your audition. And man… no one has ever proved me more wrong than you.”

 

 Foster’s Redemption Arc: From Wildcard to Front-Runner

It wasn’t the first time Bryan acknowledged Foster’s growth. Back during the Top 14 round, after Foster performed an original song, Bryan said:

“You’ve kind of been a wildcard for me this whole time. But what you just did there removed all doubt.”

Week after week, Foster has continued to build momentum, going from a quiet underdog to one of Season 23’s most consistent and beloved performers.

 The Judges’ Song Contest: Carrie Underwood’s Secret Pick

This episode also marked the return of the fan-favorite Judges’ Song Contest — where each judge secretly selects a song for each contestant based on their style and strengths. The contestants must then choose one of the three options, unaware of which judge made which suggestion.

Foster ultimately chose “I Cross My Heart,” which was later revealed to be the pick of Carrie Underwood, a former Idol winner herself. It turned out to be the perfect choice.

Each time a contestant chose their song, the corresponding judge earned a point. By the end of the show, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie tied with three points each, beating Underwood by one.

 Top 7 Results — Who Advanced?

Host Ryan Seacrest revealed that over a million votes had come in for each finalist. One by one, the names of the advancing contestants were announced:

✅ Slater Nalley
✅ Thunderstorm Artis
✅ Gabby Samone
✅ Breanna Nix
✅ Jamal Roberts
✅ John Foster

That left Mattie Pruitt and Josh King in the bottom two. As winners of the Judges’ Song Contest, Bryan and Richie were tasked with selecting which contestant to save.

While they tried to recruit Underwood to break the tie, she refused, saying she didn’t want to be the one to send anyone home. Ultimately, Mattie Pruitt was chosen as the wildcard pick, and Josh King was eliminated.

 What’s Next: A Two-Night Disney Special Awaits

With the Top 7 locked in, the remaining contestants are headed to the Disneyland stage for a special Mother’s Day two-night event airing live next Sunday and Monday. Expect classic Disney songs, emotional tributes, and another round of fierce competition as the road to the finale narrows.

 

 Full List: American Idol 2025 Top 7 Contestants

Slater Nalley

Thunderstorm Artis

Gabby Samone

Breanna Nix

Jamal Roberts

John Foster

Mattie Pruitt (wildcard pick)

❌ Eliminated: Josh King