“American Idol “is getting closer to finding the next potential superstar. The show that helped launch such talent as Kelly Clarkson, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, rising star Benson Boone and current judge Carrie Underwood, who replaced Katy Perry as a judge ahead of the season, had the contestants performing songs from the popular Judges’ Song Contest episode. Judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Underwood, selected songs for each contestant to sing where which ever judge had the most songs selected got to save one of the artist who got the lowest vote of the night.

The show at this point in the competition is as intense as ever. Everyone deserves to continue but is in danger of going home. Luckily, John Foster didn’t have anything to worry about leaving this week. The 18-year-old Louisiana native moved into the Top 7 with the fan coast-to-coast vote.

Carrie chose, perfect song for him, “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait, one of his biggest musical influences.

“It was really cool to sing one of my very favorite love songs in the whole wide world on the ‘American Idol’ stage,” Foster told TVMusic Network in a roundtable interview after the live show on Monday, May 5. “…A little tribute to George Strait, the king of country music, to sing it to my girlfriend, was incredible.” Foster’s girlfriend was in the audience for the performance much to his delight.

When it was time for host Ryan Seacrest to announce who much make it through from fan voting, Foster was the last to be called, something that can be nerve racking.

“I sat there [waiting to be called],” he said. “It’s rough, especially when you’re sitting there with two people that you love. You know…it’s literally devastating. And the only comforting thing to know is that you know they’re so talented in all rights, and I don’t worry about them at all in terms of what they’re going to do post show.” Josh King was eliminated while Mattie Pruitt was saved to sing another week.

Foster had to choose from three songs, “Two Dozen Roses” by Shenandoah, “Crazy” by Willie Nelson, and the George Strait song that he ended up choosing. For all of the artists, picking the right song can be challenging.

“In a competition like this song selection is everything,” he said. “I mean, it really is, picking a song that’s gonna appeal to you and connect to you, but also it’s really important to pick a song that appeals to the audience. And so when you’re given a list of three, it’s like this choice could decide whether or not you stay on America at all. And so it’s haunting, is the word I would say. But for me personally, there were three really, really great picks. And so I’m grateful to the judges that made my job a little bit easier, because there were some great stuff. So as I don’t know about that, yeah, yeah, there’s, there’s a lot of songs that you could sing.”

Next week is a two night fan favorite event on Sunday, May 11 and Monday, May 12 with Disney Night. The Top 5 is revealed live with mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda on Sunday, May 11 and Monday, May 12. Lin-Manuel will mentor the hopefuls from Disneyland Resort. On Monday, May 12 the live vote will determine the Top 3 who will perform for America’s vote in the season finale. Also American Idol Season 21 winner Iam Tongi will perform “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride” from the new “Lilo & Stitch” movie on Monday, May 12 on ABC. Next day on Hulu. “Lilo & Stitch” is in theaters May 23.