Verbie Benoit, of Addis, was not able to hold back tears in Hollywood on Sunday night as her grandson, LSU freshman John Foster, stepped into the national spotlight again on “American Idol.”
“It was very emotional, but it was … How would you describe it, Keeley?” she asked her 29-year-old granddaughter, Keeley Martin.
“Unbelievable,” Martin said. “Just unbelievable.”
John Foster’s grandmother, Verbie Benoit of Addis, Louisiana, is in Hollywood to cheer her grandson on, hopefully, to the finale.
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Martin, a sixth grade math teacher and Foster’s cousin, made her first trip to California to see her younger cousin perform. She said she was one of the first people to recognize that Foster could sing.
The two used to take regular road trips and sing from start to stop — to Houston or Panama City, Florida.
“He was always my little shotgun rider. I remember the first time he started singing, I was like, ‘Dude, like you can actually sing!'” Martin said. “We would sing the entire way there and the entire way back.”
Melissa Toups, Kristy Morel and Cassy Broussard in Hollywood to cheer for Louisiana’s “American Idol,” John Foster.
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One song, in particular, they often sang was Marty Robbins’ “Out in the West Texas town of El Paso” — simply because Foster’s sister, Elizabeth, hated it so much.
Another favorite was the Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge.”
“It’s still my go-to karaoke song,” Martin said.
Keeley Martin, Cooper Martin and Carli Comeaux — Louisiana’s “American Idol” John Foster, before the Sunday night, May 11, 2025, show.
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She said the biggest takeaway from Sunday night’s show was “just how good everyone is.”
“He’s our favorite, but everyone is unbelievable. I was starstruck. For a hot minute, I just couldn’t believe this was actually happening,” Martin said.
She is planning a trip home tomorrow and hoping she will be able to enjoy more “American Idol” festivities from home if Foster makes it into the top 3 on Monday night’s show.
John Foster and his MiMere, Verbie Benoit, of Addis, Louisiana, in Hollywood on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, for “American Idol.”
Provided photo
Traditionally, the top 3 contestants go home for a parade, a concert and to spend time with friends and family the week before the finale, which is set for Sunday, May 18.
To help put Louisiana teen and LSU freshman in the top 3, here’s how to vote (up to 30 times):
- Text 13 to 21523 (10 times).
- Vote 10 times at americanidol.com.
- Vote 10 times on the app.