Getting a vote of confidence from an “American Idol” judge one week before the season finale is likely a dream come true for every “Idol” finalist. But during Monday night’s episode of the singing competition, contestant John Foster received something even more meaningful: a vote of confidence from judge and former “Idol” winner, Carrie Underwood.As the champion of the show‘s fourth season, Underwood knows how to recognize a star (and winner) in the making. After Foster performed “Rainbow Connection” during the evening’s episode, she made a serious prediction while recalling Foster’s audition.
“I felt like I had this diamond in the rough standing right in front of me,” Underwood said. “I had to do a little convincing on my fellow judges, but I love that you’re standing here right now, proving me right. And I’m going to tell you right now, if you ain’t real careful, you might just win this whole thing.”
The penultimate round of this season found each of the Top 5 contestants singing two of their favorite Disney songs, while “Idol” viewers voted for their favorite contestants over the course of the program. Foster first performed “The Bare Necessities” (from “The Jungle Book”), followed by “Rainbow Connection” (from “The Muppet Movie”).Foster said part of his reason for picking the latter song was that Willie Nelson, his “favorite artist in the world,” had previously covered it.“When I listen to this song, I think about all the dreams that I’ve had as a child,” Foster said. “And the fact that some of these dreams have now come true, and I’m on ‘American Idol’ in the Top 5, is just an ode to the importance of dreaming.”
After the performance, the judging panel of Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan affirmed his choice and growth as an artist on the show.“I am totally in love with the timbre of your voice,” Richie noted. “I call it ‘instant identity.’ I know that’s you on your first note. That’s what makes an artist. The difference between a singer and a stylist is, I know your voice in three notes.”The end of Monday’s episode revealed that Foster, as well as Jamal Roberts and Breanna Nix, had advanced to this Sunday’s season finale. Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis, however, were eliminated from the competition.
