Two LSU students, John Foster, 18, and Baylee Littrell, 22, have sung their way into the top 24 contestants in season 23 of the hit singing competition show “American Idol.”

Foster is from Addis, Louisiana, just minutes from LSU, while Littrell is originally from Alpharetta, Georgia, but he attends LSU online. Foster said in his “American Idol” audition that he is a biology major on a pre-med track, and he has a passion for cancer research, with dreams of becoming a “singing oncologist.” Littrell studies sports administration and sports leadership.

Judge Carrie Underwood, who won season four of the show, told Littrell that he looked familiar in his audition. The singer revealed his father is Brian Littrell from the popular ’90s boy band the Backstreet Boys; however, he has hopes of being known for his own singer-songwriter musical style. Foster welcomed the hosts with his Cajun charm and packed individual ice chests with Louisiana-style foods inside such as boudin.

Foster sang “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” by Alan Jackson and Underwood asked for a song that showcased more of the singer’s vocals. Foster began to sing “Goodbye Time” by Conway Twitty and quickly won over the judges with his country vocals, especially Luke Bryan who changed his answer from a “no” to “yes.”

Littrell sang an original song called “Waiting On Myself To Die” in his audition and immediately surprised the judges, receiving high praise from Underwood, Bryan and Lionel Richie. The judges even asked Littrell’s father to come out for a quick duet, and he left with a “yes” from each judge.

The singers have advanced throughout the season, making it to the head-to-head round, where the 46 contestants were cut down to two dozen during a two-hour episode. Foster teamed up with another Louisiana native Clare Rae, and the two performed “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold; however Rae did not end up making the cut. Though she surprised the judges with her unique, raspy voice in her Nashville audition, it wasn’t enough to make it to the top 24.

Littrell teamed up in the head-to-head round with New York native Keilene Bultron to perform “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. The two were up all night finalizing the duet, but the night ended with only Littrell moving forward.