Jesse Findling, a 19-year-old college student from Long Island, New York, turned his vulnerability into strength on American Idol by delivering a soaring, emotionally charged cover of “In the Stars” by Benson Boone during his Idol audition, earning a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, despite struggling with a stutter since elementary school.
His stutter, which he has struggled with since a young age, has often made him feel embarrassed and “alone.”
“I’ve been singing ever since I was little with my brother and sister. We would just sing with each other, and since then, I did choirs in school. I have had a stutter ever since I was little. It’s something that I’ve struggled with since elementary school,” he explained. “That was something embarrassing for me… It was something that I really had a hard time with,” he recalled. “I wouldn’t raise my hand in school, and it was just something that made me feel alone.”
This led the Idol contestant to feel forced “to hide” his stutter from his peers and the other students in school. Singing, however, became his outlet, as he does not stutter when he sings and is able to express himself without fear of embarrassment.
“It was definitely hard. Singing has always felt freeing for me because when I sing, I don’t stutter. When I sing, it is a way for me to express myself in a way where I don’t have to worry about being embarrassed at what people would think or if somebody would laugh. It was an outlet for me when I was little, and it’s still an outlet for me now,” he continued. “Walking out with a golden ticket would mean that everything that I’ve struggled with in the past, it’s all led me here, and I could do whatever I want if I work hard. I’ve come a long way with it, and it doesn’t hold me back.”
His younger brother also struggles with a stutter, creating a special bond between the two through singing, which serves as an escape for both of them. “Me and my brother sing with each other, and he also has a stutter, so it’s really special when we sing together,” Jesse added.
“I want to be a role model for him because I knew how hard it was for me in school. [‘In the Stars’] is the song me and my brother always sing together. I am going to be thinking of him when I sing it,” he said before the cameras cut to his little brother. “It is crazy to see how far he’s come. It’s insane,” Findling’s brother said.
Donning a gray crewneck sweatshirt and jeans, Jesse Findling confidently showcased his incredible vocal abilities in front of the star-studded American Idol judges at Belmont University in Nashville.
Accompanied by a pianist, Findling belted out “In The Stars” by Benson Boone as Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan watched in awe of his stunning vocals. “I’m still holding on to everything that’s dead and gone/ I don’t wanna say goodbye ’cause this one means forever/ Now you’re in the stars and six feet’s never felt so far/ Here I am alone between the heavens and the embers/ Oh, it hurts so hard for a million different reasons/ You took the best of my heart and left the rest in pieces,” Findling sang on the chorus.
His audition was met with a standing ovation and high praise from the judges. “Luke, you jumped awful quick,” Underwood said, to which Bryan replied, “I don’t think I blinked one time. I mean, wow, you’re a real singer. Man, I’m really proud of you. I love this show… because we get to meet kids like you.”
“Your voice is beautiful. You have a beautiful vibrato [and] a beautiful tone. We could understand everything you were singing, and you were in the song emotionally, which just took us right there with you. It was just beautiful.” Richie added, “problem, what problem? You don’t have a problem. The only thing wrong with you is you gotta figure out how you’re going to navigate this career.”
Findling’s family, including his parents and siblings, then entered the room as the Idol judges revealed his fate. “What’s up fam,” Bryan said, welcoming his relatives into the audition room.
Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan were first to vote with ‘yes,’ before Underwood gushed over his unique vocal talent.
“I think you could go really far in this competition. We just haven’t had voices like yours coming through those doors. I’m really excited to give you a big ‘ol YES,” Underwood said with a smile, revealing that he would receive a ticket to Hollywood. Bryan added, “That boy’s got a pretty voice.”
Findling then reflected on what was going through his mind as he auditioned in front of the star-studded judges panel. “When I was singing that song, I was thinking of younger me, who wouldn’t speak in class, who was scared of what people thought of him and the fact that I got this is just proof that everything is working out how it should,” Findling shared.
After receiving three ‘yes’ votes and earning a golden ticket to Hollywood, Jesse Findling shared a motivational message with his younger brother. “I love you, you can do anything you put your mind to, and I’m always here for you,” he told his younger brother, who replied, “I’m very proud of you, love you,” as they embraced in a hug.
The Season 24 premiere of American Idol airs Monday, January 26 at 8/7c on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu. New episodes will continue to air every Monday at 8/7c.
