Picture this: a golden sunset over Navarre Beach, Florida, waves whispering against the shore, and American Idol Season 23 runner-up John Foster dropping to one knee to propose to his high school sweetheart, Brooklyn Bourque. On August 15, 2025, the 19-year-old country music sensation turned a quiet beach getaway into a heart-melting moment, asking Bourque to marry him with a sparkling ring and a vow for a “dream wedding” this winter. Fresh off his electrifying Grand Ole Opry performances, Foster’s proposal sent fans into a frenzy, with social media lighting up over this real-life country love song. From his Idol journey to this fairy-tale moment, Foster’s proving his heart shines as brightly offstage as on. Dive into the magic of this beachside proposal and why the world’s counting down to their winter nuptials!
A Love Story Straight Out of Louisiana
John Foster and Brooklyn Bourque’s romance is the stuff of country ballads—two small-town sweethearts from Addis, Louisiana, whose love grew through high school football games, late-night talks, and shared dreams under starry skies. Both 19 and graduates of Brusly High School’s Class of 2024, the couple celebrated their one-year anniversary in May 2025, just as Foster was soaring to the American Idol Top 3. Brooklyn, a former cheerleading captain, has been his rock, cheering from the front row during his Idol run and his Opry debut. Her Instagram posts, filled with heart emojis and captions like “my cutie patootie,” capture their playful, devoted bond.
Their love story took root in Brusly, where they bonded over faith and music. Foster, now a biology freshman at LSU with ambitions of becoming a “singing oncologist,” dedicated his Idol performance of George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart” to Brooklyn, leaving her jumping and screaming in the audience. Their June 2025 Navarre Beach vacation, where they posed in matching sunglasses against the Gulf’s turquoise waves, hinted at a deepening connection. Foster called it “relaxation in between working on great things,” but fans had no idea one of those “great things” was a proposal that would steal their hearts.
The Proposal: A Sunset to Remember
On August 15, 2025, Foster transformed Navarre Beach into a stage for love. Planning the moment for weeks, he enlisted Brooklyn’s sister to help choose a stunning oval-cut diamond ring set on a gold band. As the sun painted the sky pink and gold, Foster led Brooklyn to a secluded spot where he’d crafted a heart-shaped display of seashells, lit by flickering lanterns. “Brooklyn, you’ve been my everything through every high and low,” he said, his voice steady but emotional. “I promise to love you like I sing—with all I’ve got. Will you marry me?” Brooklyn, caught off guard, burst into tears before shouting, “Yes!” as nearby beachgoers erupted in cheers.
Brooklyn shared the moment on Instagram, posting a photo of the couple embracing, her ring sparkling in the fading light. “I’m gonna be his wife!!! 😭💍 My heart’s so full,” she captioned, tagging Foster with a flurry of hearts. Fans flooded the comments, with one calling it “the country love story we all needed” and another joking, “John’s singing ‘I Cross My Heart’ at the wedding, right?” The proposal, set against the Gulf’s serene beauty, was a perfect reflection of their grounded yet dreamy romance, with Foster later saying, “She’s my home, no matter where life takes us.”
A Dream Winter Wedding on the Horizon
Foster didn’t just propose—he promised Brooklyn a “dream wedding” in December 2025, set to unfold in Nashville, where his music career is taking flight. The couple, deeply rooted in their Christian faith, is planning a rustic yet elegant ceremony, likely at a venue like Saddle Woods Farm outside Nashville, with candlelit vows, string lights, and Southern touches like crawfish appetizers and a country playlist. Brooklyn, who’s been spotted in LSU gear hinting at her college plans, is diving into wedding details, envisioning a boho-country dress that nods to her cheerleading days. “It’ll be us—simple, heartfelt, and a little bit country,” she shared in a recent interview.
The guest list is expected to include Idol alums like Jamal Roberts and Breanna Nix, who commented, “Y’all are gonna be the prettiest bride and groom!” Foster’s family, including his mother Amanda Benoit and sister Elizabeth, who delayed her own wedding to support his Idol run, will be front and center. The ceremony will reflect their faith, with Foster hinting at performing an original song for Brooklyn, possibly a follow-up to his Idol ballad “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” written for his late friend Maggie Dunn. The couple’s vision is clear: a winter night filled with love, music, and Louisiana charm.
A Whirlwind Year of Stardom and Love
Foster’s proposal caps a meteoric 2025. After placing second on American Idol in May, he released “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” a tribute to his friend Maggie Dunn, killed in a 2022 car accident. The song climbed to No. 3 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart, its raw emotion resonating with fans. His Grand Ole Opry appearances on June 7, July 9 (his 19th birthday), and August 21, 2025, were triumphs, with his August set—featuring Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” and George Jones’ “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes”—earning standing ovations. His summer gigs, from Cajun Country Jam to the Marshland Music Festival, showcased his growing star power, with Brooklyn by his side at every turn.
Brooklyn has been Foster’s unwavering supporter, rallying friends to vote during Idol and sharing proud posts from his Hollywood Week audition to his finale performance of “The Rainbow Connection.” Her energy—described as “jumping and screaming” during his George Strait cover—has made her a fan favorite, with one X user calling her “John’s secret weapon.” Their high school sweetheart story, born in Brusly’s close-knit community, feels like a modern-day country classic, with fans rooting for their love as much as Foster’s music.
Why Fans Are Over the Moon
The proposal has set social media ablaze, with #JohnAndBrooklyn trending alongside #IdolWedding. Fans are smitten by the couple’s authenticity, with one Reddit user writing, “John proposing at 19 is so bold and sweet—it’s like a George Strait song come to life.” Another tweeted, “Brooklyn’s been his ride-or-die since Idol. This wedding’s gonna be epic!” The American Idol Instagram account added, “Here’s to love and sunscreen! Congrats, you two! ❤️” The outpouring reflects Foster’s appeal as a grounded, faith-driven artist whose love story is as captivating as his voice.
Foster’s mother, Amanda, noted that Brooklyn’s support was crucial during Idol, with the couple’s bond growing through the competition’s highs and lows. “She’s his person,” Amanda shared, recalling how Brooklyn rallied their hometown to vote. Fans see Foster’s emotional depth, shaped by the loss of Maggie Dunn, as the heart of his proposal’s sincerity. “He sings like he’s lived every word,” one X user wrote, tying his music to his devotion to Brooklyn. The beachside moment, with its seashell heart and sunset glow, has fans dreaming of a wedding that’s equal parts romantic and rooted.
Counting Down to a Winter Fairy Tale
As Foster and Brooklyn plan their December 2025 wedding, the excitement is building. Foster’s packed schedule—studio sessions for a debut album, a September 2025 Austin City Limits performance, and a possible Opry return in 2026—makes the winter timing a perfect moment to pause and celebrate. Brooklyn, who may join Foster in Nashville as he chases music full-time, is crafting a wedding that reflects their shared values. The ceremony, likely officiated by their Louisiana pastor, will feature vows written by Foster, with fans speculating he’ll serenade Brooklyn with a new song.
This proposal is more than a romantic gesture—it’s a promise kept, echoing the love Foster sang to Brooklyn on Idol. As they prepare for their dream winter wedding, fans are cheering for this young couple whose story feels like a country hit in the making. Follow their journey on Instagram, stream “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” and get ready for a Nashville nuptial that’ll have everyone singing “I Cross My Heart.” John Foster and Brooklyn Bourque are writing their forever, and the world’s ready to raise a glass to their love!
