LSU Freshman John Foster Brings Tiger Spirit to the ‘American Idol’ Stage

As a biology freshman at LSU, John Foster is used to juggling coursework, exams, and college life. But this spring, he’s balancing something a bit more unconventional—the demands of competing on “American Idol.” 

The national spotlight isn’t something Foster takes lightly. Growing up just across the river from LSU’s campus, he’s long felt connected to the university, and now he’s proudly representing it on one of the country’s most iconic television show stages. 

“Although I’m a freshman, I’ve been a Tiger since I was born,” Foster said. “Being from a town that’s right across the river from Death Valley, I’ve been attending LSU games for as long as I can remember. It’s an honor to represent my college on a national stage.” 

Inspired by the success of past “Idol” contestants who’ve launched major music careers, Foster decided to audition for the show in hopes of becoming the next country music star to break through. 

“‘American Idol’ has consistently produced so many stars in the music industry,” he said. “I was inspired to audition in hopes that I can become one of the successful musicians that the show has produced over its 23-year history.” 

While ‘Idol’ keeps him busy, Foster is firmly committed to his education. He’s majoring in biology and hopes to make a lasting difference in the world—whether it’s through medicine, music, or both. 

“I will be a musician for the rest of my life. Whether I become a physician playing music on the side or a full-time musician depends on how eager the country music audience is to make a space for me in the industry,” he said. “In either case, I’ll continue my studies online and obtain my degree. My overall goal in life is to leave this Earth in a better shape than it was when I entered it, no matter what career path I choose.” 

So far, he’s found that his strong time management skills are the key to making it all work.

“Academics have always been incredibly important to me, so I’ve made it a priority to balance my studies with ‘Idol,’” he said. “My time management skills and dedication are the main reasons I’ve been able to balance the two.” 

Foster credits LSU with giving him a sense of belonging, both in and out of the classroom. 

“LSU is an amazing choice for anyone who wants to feel as if they’re at home every time they’re on campus,” he said. “There’s truly no place like LSU.” 

For any student wondering if LSU is the right choice, Foster’s advice is simple: “Choose LSU. The campus is beautiful, the people are kind, and there is no culture in this country like the one that we have on our campus.” 

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