Here are the two standout Disney Night performances from Season 23 of American Idol (2025) that helped propel John Foster—the talented 18-year-old country singer from Addis, Louisiana—all the way to the finale as runner-up.
Season 23 featured two Disney-themed nights in May 2025, with contestants mentored by Lin-Manuel Miranda at Disneyland Resort. John delivered memorable, authentic performances that showcased his signature laid-back country style, charm, and emotional depth—qualities that resonated deeply with viewers and judges (Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood).
1. “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog (First Disney Night – Top 7)
John kicked off the Disney episodes with a fun, rootsy take on this upbeat track from the 2009 New Orleans-set film. He infused it with a jazzy, Cajun-flavored country twist that felt like a natural extension of his Louisiana heritage.
Style & Reception: He started slow and soulful before building into a lively, crowd-clapping chorus. Judges praised his authenticity and how he made the song completely his own. Carrie Underwood noted it was “John Foster through and through,” while fans loved the hometown flair.
Why it mattered: This performance helped him advance safely into the Top 5/Top 3 phase and showed his versatility beyond pure country.
Here are some visual highlights from that magical moment:
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2. “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book + “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppet Movie (Second Disney Night – Top 5)
On the second Disney night (heroes & villains theme), John performed two songs that sealed his spot in the finale:
“The Bare Necessities” — An upbeat, jazzy, country-infused version that started mellow and exploded into a fun, danceable chorus. He brought pure joy and got the whole crowd clapping along.
“The Rainbow Connection” — A tender, emotional, speak-singing rendition of the classic Kermit the Frog ballad. His gentle, heartfelt delivery tugged at heartstrings and earned high praise (Luke Bryan called the competition a “slugfest,” but loved his unique approach).
Style & Reception: The contrast was perfect—one playful and energetic, the other deeply moving. The emotional “Rainbow Connection” in particular was called one of the favorite song choices of the season by critics. It helped him become the first announced finalist.
Here are key images capturing the emotion and atmosphere of these performances:
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These two Disney nights were pivotal: they showcased John’s ability to take iconic songs and make them feel personal, authentic, and rooted in his country identity. Judges and viewers consistently praised his consistency, charm, and refusal to try to be someone he’s not—qualities that carried him to the finale (where he ultimately finished as runner-up).
Where to Watch the Full Performances
The official clips are available on the American Idol YouTube channel (all rights belong to ABC/Disney):
“Almost There” → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNbu_7GtPAE
“The Bare Necessities” → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5MUY35bo3Q
“Rainbow Connection” → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYGlVX4UqMc
These two nights are widely credited as turning points that propelled John Foster from strong contender to finale favorite. His Disney performances perfectly blended fun, nostalgia, and genuine emotion—exactly what helped him connect with millions of viewers.
Which of the two was your favorite? Let me know in the comments! 🎤✨
