Latest news with #JohnFoster
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘American Idol' Runner-Up John Foster's Mother Reveals Unknown Facts About His Journey – And the Sacrifice His Sister Made
'American Idol' Runner-Up John Foster's Mother Reveals Unknown Facts About His Journey – And the Sacrifice His Sister Made originally appeared on Parade. John Foster, who finished as the runner-up for American Idol 2025, might not have made it to Hollywood Week without a little push on the part of Carrie Underwood to get her fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie to vote him through. And she was right to do so, considering how far he went in the competition. But what wasn't revealed on American Idol but was shared by John's mother, Amanda Benoit, during an emotional chat on the Unfiltered with Kevinpodcast, is that John had virtually auditioned for Idol back in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. 'He didn't make it past the open call that first time,' she recalled. 'But I'll never forget how excited I was. I left work early that day. We had everything set up, and my heart was pounding. I just had so much faith in him—even when he didn't quite believe in himself yet.' 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 John got a pass that first time around, but he didn't let that discourage him. He auditioned a second time the following year and made the producers cut, but was eliminated before going in front of the judges. According to Amanda, in those early auditions, John may not have had the confidence he needed, which changed when his local shows began selling out. Finally, in 2024, John was invited back once again and the rest, as they say, is history, with John charting with his original song 'Tell That Angel I Love Her,' which he wrote as a tribute to his late best friend Maggie Dunn, who was killed by a drunk driver on New Year's Eve 2022. Related: 'I think Maggie knew his potential before John Foster even did,' Amanda told Kevin. 'She believed in him and pushed him to go after this dream. She was his person. After she died, music became his therapy.' Amanda added that John carried Maggie with him for that performance. 'Every word of that song—she was there,' she said. Related: Also, always there for John was his sister, Elizabeth, who postponed her wedding in order to be in the Idol audience each week, cheering him on once the live shows began. 'She's been his number one cheerleader besides me,' Amanda continued. 'They're just two and a half years apart and incredibly close. She's like a second mom sometimes—always in his corner, telling him, 'You can do this.'' Next, 'American Idol' Runner-Up John Foster's Mother Reveals Unknown Facts About His Journey – And the Sacrifice His Sister Made first appeared on Parade on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘American Idol' Champ Jamal Roberts Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs Chart With ‘Heal'
Newly crowned American Idol winner Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old gym teacher from Meridian, Miss., debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart (dated May 31) with 'Heal.' He capped off his championship run on the ABC competition May 18 with a stirring rendition of the faith-based track, which was written by Tom Odell, who released his version in 2013. Released May 18, Roberts' 'Heal' sold 9,000 downloads in the United States in the week ending May 22, according to Luminate. It tops Gospel Digital Song Sales, marking his initial No. 1; he previously hit No. 4 with 'He's Preparing Me' earlier in May. On the all-genre Digital Songs survey, 'Heal' opens at No. 2, granting Roberts his first top 10 in his rookie appearance. The spiritual power ballad also drew 918,000 official U.S. streams in the tracking week. More from Billboard Meet 2025's 'American Idol' Top 12 Contestants Zak Starkey Rubbishes Reports He Retired from The Who, Insists He Was 'Fired' Lorde Makes Surprise Appearance at Aotearoa Music Awards Meanwhile, Roberts is joined on Digital Song Sales by two fellow American Idol finalists: Breanna Nix with 'Higher' (No. 4; 5,000 sold), and John Foster with 'Tell That Angel I Love Her' (No. 6; 4,000 sold). They finished in third and second place, respectively, in the series' latest season. Notably, the three acts' haul outpaces that of American Idol contestants from a year ago, when champion Abi Carter was the sole competitor to appear on the Digital Song Sales chart (dated June 1, 2024) following the finale, with 'This Isn't Over' (No. 23; 2,000 sold). Pastor Mike Jr. adds his record-extending seventh straight career-opening leader on Gospel Airplay as 'Amen' lifts 2-1. He co-authored the song with Adia Andrews, David Lamar Outing II and Terrell Anthony Pettus. Pastor Mike Jr., from Birmingham, Ala., last led Gospel Airplay with 'Windows' for a week in June 2024. Before that, he reigned as featured on Kierra Sheard's 'Miracles,' for a week in July 2023, and with his own 'Impossible,' featuring James Fortune (two weeks, April 2023); 'Amazing' (two weeks, May 2022); 'I Got It' (four weeks, beginning in March 2021); and 'Big Rock City' (10 weeks, beginning in February 2020). In addition to owning the career-opening record run, Pastor Mike Jr. boasts the longest streak of Gospel Airplay No. 1s overall. Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Tamela Mann follow with active streaks of six consecutive chart-toppers. (Cobbs Leonard ranks at No. 7 on the latest list with 'Do It Anyway,' a week after it reached No. 6.) Additional reporting by Alex Vitoulis. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
100th birthday tribute to Wiltshire AA veteran
An AA patrolman has completed a 420-mile round trip on a heritage motorbike to celebrate the 100th birthday of a Foster made the journey to Lacock, Wiltshire, to present his former colleague, Derek Fothergill, with a commemorative roundel in tribute to his 37 years' Fothergill, who started as a patrolman in 1950, played a "pivotal role" in the launch of AA Relay in 1973. "He's just a superb man, and I remembered his name from many years ago, so I took the opportunity to visit Derek and it was lovely to see the smile on his face," said Mr Foster. Mr Fothergill joined the service as a motorbike patrol aged 25, when his future father-in-law suggested he should "get a proper job" after serving in the British Army in India and Burma. As a reserve captain in the Royal Military Police, Mr Fothergill was called up during the 1956 Suez Crisis, serving with the AA's own Military Police Company, made up entirely of volunteer patrol staff. "I suppose The AA was a type of military organisation and structure to start with," said his son, Steve Fothergill, who also worked for the AA, for 34 years."There's a similar sort of camaraderie in the AA that exists in the British forces - constant joking and laughing amongst patrols to get through the difficult times - and that's still there today," he of Mr Fothergill's call-outs caused him particular embarrassment."One of the breakdowns that he had to attend turned out to be his ex-girlfriend and her new partner," said Steve Fothergill. Mr Foster, who himself has worked for the company for 46 years and is a founder member of the AA's heritage team, made the 420-mile round trip on an AA-liveried 1961 BSA motorcycle and side-car combination, which he restored himself. Mr Foster said the values underpinning the AA have survived through the decades since the service first began in 1905."Customer care to me is especially important because I get called out to so many people now who say, 'Oh, I remember you from a long time ago."And I think, OK, we've looked after you, and you've looked after us by staying with us."There is a camaraderie - we get this thing we call 'yellow blood', and once it gets in your system, you can't really get it out," he added.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Tycoon's astonishing divorce court confession sends shockwaves through Wall Street
The boss of an $800 million private equity firm suddenly announced he has Alzheimer's disease in the middle of a divorce hearing. Health Point Capital managing partner John Foster, 83, has been locked in a bitter divorce with his estranged wife Stephanie Foster, 57, for four years. Foster claimed her extravagant spending habits wiped out his $45 million fortune and he is almost 'destitute', but Stephanie insists he is hiding assets. His lawyers previously claimed Stephanie blew money on designer clothes and other luxuries 'at a rate that… none of us can conceive'. Stephanie Foster's camp instead rubbished claims Foster was suddenly $12 million in debt when his wife filed for divorce, which may also come as a shock to his shareholders. She said he was still flying on his private jet between New York and Florida for Botox, hair dye, and manicure appointments. Foster also sold a sprawling eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom mansion on the ultra-exclusive Fishers Island, Massachusetts, for $10 million last October. But his claims of being unable to remember documents he signed, or where his wealth was allegedly stashed, became more believable on Wednesday. During his second day on the stand in the Manhattan Supreme Court he dropped the health bombshell which is likely to enrage his shareholders. 'I'm 83-years-old, I have recently had an MRI, which is a brain scan for my Alzheimer's,' he said, totally unprompted, according to the New York Post. Stephanie's lawyer Rita Glavin, who was stunned by the news, asked him to confirm his diagnosis, and he replied 'yes and I am being examined' for it with the MRI. However, he later said in his testimony that he couldn't remember why he got the MRI, or what he said earlier in his evidence. He also spent part of the hearing scrolling through his phone and had to be admonished by Glavin. Concealing his condition could open Health Point Capital to shareholder or investor lawsuits and potential action by the SEC, experts told the NYP. Exactly when Foster was diagnosed and how much his business partners knew about his illness was not disclosed. Foster said he was placed on leave several weeks ago due to 'other litigation not to do with this proceeding', which he also had not told the court before. He is still listed as the first managing partner on the firm's website . Glavin then asked if the 'other litigation' was claims he used company accounts to hide personal income, and Foster responded by ending the hearing. 'Judge, I think we should close for the day, I'm not up for it,' he said, the NYP reported. The court previously heard the 15-year marriage broke down after Foster frequently cheated on his wife. But Stephanie previously said the last straw was him telling her, 'I don't care what happens to you when I die.' Glavin previously told the court how Foster added $3 million to his bank account in one year and splurged $800,000 on a Hinckley yacht. Foster also owns a ranch in Texas filled with exotic African animals including oryx, sable and zebra, a Gulfstream IV-SP jet, and a mansion in The Breakers on Palm Beach, Florida. Stephanie produced a text message exchange between Foster and the family lawyer that she claimed was proof he was hiding his wealth. 'Your net-worth strategy worked. Steph is stunned. Told me I'm bankrupt! She's very upset!' he wrote.
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Private equity bigwig shocks courtroom with Alzheimer's diagnosis during bombshell NYC divorce trial: ‘I'm a lowly business man'
A private equity CEO wrapped in a bruising divorce battle shocked a Manhattan courtroom this week when he suddenly announced he has Alzheimer's disease — potentially opening him up to regulator sanctions and shareholder lawsuits, experts said. John Foster, 83, managing partner of the $800 million private equity firm HealthPointCapital, made the stunning, unprompted admission in Manhattan Supreme Court Wednesday as he testified in his divorce case against his estranged wife of 15 years Stephanie Foster, 57. 'I'm a lowly business man,' said Foster, a longtime health devices bigwig who spent much of his testimony claiming he couldn't recall whether he had signed notarized documents or sworn affidavits. 5 John H. Foster, center, stunned a courtroom Wednesday when he announced a previously undisclosed Alzheimer's diagnosis. Steven Hirsch 'I'm 83-years-old — I have recently had an MRI, which is a brain scan for my Alzheimer's,' he suddenly added, divulging a previously-undisclosed illness. Experts said the revelation from Foster — who spent much of his testimony claiming he couldn't remember signing official documents — could potentially have serious legal consequences outside of his messy divorce. 'That may be material information that has to be disclosed under federal law and SEC regulations,' said securities fraud trial lawyer, Michael P. Bowen. Foster — who is currently under a no-contact order due to 'taunting' text messages he sent to his soon-to-be ex-wife last fall — also erupted in court Wednesday as he bemoaned the hourly rates charged by her attorneys. '$40,000 a day for this bulls—t,' he said loudly, as the lawyers spoke with the judge at the bench. His own apparently well-compensated lawyer, Linda Rosenthal — who has previously claimed her client has 'barely a positive net worth, if at all' — told him to zip it. 5 John Foster spent much of the day saying he could not recall basic things, like if he had signed notarized documents or his sworn affidavit. Steven Hirsch During what was his second day on the stand this week, Foster repeatedly answered 'I don't recall' in response to basic questions about if he remembered signing notarized documents, a statement of net worth, records of million-dollar deposits and his sworn affidavit. After answering yes when pressed by his wife's high-powered attorney Rita Glavin to confirm he had Alzheimer's, he later tried to qualify by saying: 'yes and I am being examined' for the disease when he got his MRI a week earlier. But when Glavin asked him to clarify an earlier statement about his diagnosis, Foster said he could not recall why he got an MRI, or what he had previously said in his testimony. 5 Wife Stephanie Foster has long claimed that her husband is hiding potentially hundreds of millions in a 'net worth strategy' to avoid a divorce payout. Steven Hirsch Bowen, who is not involved in the Foster case, said that while there's no clear line of when a duty to disclose is triggered, a diagnosis like Alzheimer's is one that could directly impact Foster's fund. 'An investor would want to know that information,' Bowen said, adding that the specifics are what matters in cases like this. 'It could lead to sanctions by the SEC, or to shareholder lawsuits,' he said, if Foster's condition was not properly disclosed. 5 Texts found by Stephanie Foster on John Foster's phone allegedly congratulating his lawyer for successfully hiding his wealth from her. Courtesy Stephanie Foster Foster told the court Wednesday that his company placed him on leave 'several weeks ago' due to 'other litigation not to do with this proceeding' — something he hadn't disclosed during his testimony the prior day. Healthpoint Capital still lists Foster as its first managing partner on their website. The company did not immediately respond to questions regarding Foster's current status of employment or when he last signed investor statements and other documentation on behalf of the firm. Glavin — who also reps ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the sexual harassment lawsuits he faces — peppered Foster about his wife's claim that he attempted to hide more than $6.3 million in income from her. Foster has previously claimed during the nearly four-year-long acrimonious separation that his wife's spending has left him destitute, but she claims to have discovered a text message that reveals a deliberate 'net-worth strategy' to hide his true assets. 5 Stephanie Foster, center, leaving the courthouse Wednesday with one of her lawyers, BriAnne Copp. Steven Hirsch When Glavin asked if he had been placed on leave because of the allegations he used company accounts to hide personal income from a business deal, Foster immediately clammed up. 'Judge, I think we should close for the day,' Foster said as he placed a pair of hearing-aided headphones on his head that he only wore occasionally during the day. 'I'm not up for it.' He then complained that his wife had too many lawyers, and he, too few. 'She has too many lawyers. It's three verses four,' he riffed. At other points, Foster had his head buried in his hands, or was too busy scrolling on his smartphone to respond to questions from Glavin as he sat in the witness stand. 'Mr. Foster, can you please put your phone down for a moment?' Glavin requested repeatedly. 'Do you think your testimony is important?' 'I'm not at liberty to discuss,' he said from the witness stand. 'Yes you are,' Glavin replied. 'You are under a subpoena.'
