Wearing his signature cowboy hat and bringing plenty of Louisiana charm, 18-year-old John Foster lit up the American Idol stage during Disney Night with a crowd-pleasing take on “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog. From the very first note, Foster turned the performance into a full-blown celebration—not just of Disney magic, but of who he is and where he comes from.

Aired on May 11, 2025, this high-energy moment came during Idol’s first-ever two-night Disney event, and Foster made it count.

Backed by guest mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda’s advice to “tap into your inner rock star,” John delivered with confidence, charisma, and a golden jacket to match.

He started smooth and soulful, then broke into joyful movement across the stage—earning cheers so loud that even Lionel Richie had to wait to speak.

When the applause finally quieted, Richie just smiled and said, “The crowd said it all.”

Carrie Underwood applauded Foster’s authenticity, saying he brings himself to every song, while Luke Bryan couldn’t stop grinning. “Charisma, charisma, charisma,” he said. “That’s why you’re almost there.”

The performance capped off a heartfelt episode where the Top 7 contestants honored their moms with deeply personal song choices. Coming off emotional family visits to Disneyland, each singer had just under two hours to earn America’s votes before the Top 5 were revealed live that same night.

For Foster, “Almost There” wasn’t just a Disney tune—it felt like a personal promise. With a hometown visit on the line if he reaches the Top 3, and momentum clearly on his side, he’s showing America that he’s not just almost there—he’s well on his way.