Jesse Findling made a heartfelt and lasting impression on American Idol viewers when he performed Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph” during the first-ever “’Ohana Round,” sharing why the track resonates with him so much and dedicating his performance to his late grandfather.
“It feels insane to be in the Top 30. There’s a lot of pressure knowing that 10 people are going to go home,” he admitted.
The 19-year-old college student from Long Island, who has openly shared his journey overcoming a stutter, dedicated his “‘Ohana Round” performance to his late grandfather, Harvey Findling, who was a passionate photographer.
With his dad and sister cheering him on from the star-studded audience, Findling opened up about why he chose to dedicate his performance to his late grandfather. “I’m dedicating this song to my grandpa. He passed away six years ago, but he was a photographer and he spent so much of his life capturing the most important moments of other people’s lives,” he explained. “I just felt like I could really be myself around him and we could laugh with each other. Even though he can’t be here taking pictures of me, I know he’s watching right now. Looking back at photos of him reminds me of the love that my whole family shared with him.”
Findling has been open about his stutter since his Idol audition, explaining, “I have had a stutter ever since I was little. It’s something that I’ve struggled with since elementary school. That was something embarrassing for me… It was something that I really had a hard time with. I wouldn’t raise my hand in school, and it was just something that made me feel alone. 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.”
Findling explained how his dad suggested he perform “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran, and the Idol hopeful obliged as he thought it was the perfect choice as the song resonates with him so much. “Ed Sheeran has always been one of my favorite singers. He had a stutter when he was younger and he’s been super open about it. It’s crazy. It’s like the perfect song. I relate to it in so many ways,” he told the Idol judges before performing.
He then went on to perform the Ed Sheeran mega-hit while sitting on a barstool in the center of the stage. Wearing a simple outfit, Jesse Findling belted out the lyrics to “Photograph,” captivating with just his soothing vocals, in front of Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.
“We keep this love in a photograph/ we made these memories for ourselves/ where our eyes are never closin’/ hearts are never broken/ and time’s forever frozen still,” Findling sang on the track’s chorus. “So you can keep me/ inside the pocket of your ripped jeans/ holdin’ me closer ’til our eyes meet/ you won’t ever be alone/ wait for me to come home.”
His performance of the Sheeran track was met with a thunderous applause and praise from country superstar Carrie Underwood.
“I mean, it’s honest and it’s real and it’s believable and it’s just beautiful.,” Underwood gushed of his delivery of the pop hit.
Industry tastemakers Anthony Gargiula and Shirley Halperin also made remarks on his performance. “Insane! Insane vocal,” Gargiula said in shock of Findling’s talents. “He was so consistent from start to finish.”
Halperin added, “He went viral already and I can see why.”
Fans first met Findling during his audition, where he stunned the judges despite struggling with a stutter with a soaring cover of “In the Stars” by Benson Boone. His audition was met with a standing ovation and high praise from the judges. At the time, Underwood gushed, “I think you could go really far in this competition. We just haven’t had voices like yours coming through those doors.”
“I’ve always known that I can sing, but to get that level of validation and praise, it was an insane feeling,” Findling recalled of his debut performance, which carried him through to Hollywood Week.
During Hollywood Week, he earned a standing ovation with a powerful rendition of “Love In The Dark” by Adele, securing his spot in the Top 30 and cementing himself as one of this season’s most exciting Idol hopefuls.
Ultimately, Jesse Findling scored a spot in the coveted Top 20, advancing to the next round. Now, over the next two weeks the Top 20 Idol hopefuls will perform for America’s votes at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, competing for a spot in the next round with guidance from superstar mentors Brad Paisley and KeKe Palmer.
Follow Jesse Findling’s journey on American Idol Mondays at 8/7c on ABC, or stream the episode the next day on Hulu.
