Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan gave Massapequa’s Jessie Findling a standing ovation when the 19-year-old auditioned for the upcoming season of American Idol.
Findling’s performance of “In the Stars” by Benson Boone earned him a coveted Golden Ticket to Hollywood Week — along with high praise from the judges.
“After putting my all into that song and being super vulnerable in the moment, it was super rewarding to see them stand up for me, knowing how many people they hear,” Findling told Greater Long Island. “I realize they don’t just stand up for anyone.”
It was a milestone moment years in the making. Findling said he has lived with a stutter since elementary school, something that once made speaking in class feel overwhelming.
“It was embarrassing for me. It was something that I really had a hard time with,” he said. “I wouldn’t raise my hand in school, and it was just something that made me feel alone.”
Singing, however, became his outlet. Findling said he realized at a young age that when he sings, his stutter disappears and he feels more confident around others.
“I became that annoying kid when I was little,” he said with a smile. “I would sing in the shower, I would sing everywhere. My brother and sister shared that same passion, so we all joined multiple choir groups together.”
Despite his growing talent, Findling said he never took formal voice lessons. It wasn’t until a few years ago that he began to understand his own sound.
“I found out what my sound is,” he said.
He started posting videos on social media, realized he wanted to make his own music, and committed to pursuing a career as an artist.
Last May, an American Idol producer who came across his music online reached out and invited him to audition over Zoom. A few months later, Findling was headed to Nashville to perform in person for Richie, Underwood and Bryan.
“I know I did a song justice when I enter the zone and almost black out,” he said. “I felt like that after I sang for them. When I came out of my zone, I saw them all standing up and clapping. When they started saying nice things, that’s actually when I started shaking.”
“Problem? What problem? You don’t have a problem,” Richie told Findling after the audition. “The only thing wrong with you is that you have to figure out how you’re going to navigate this career.”
It’s a career Findling hopes will follow a path similar to some of his musical inspirations, including Shawn Mendes, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran.
The new season of American Idol, including Findling’s audition, premieres Monday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. on ABC and Hulu.
Top: Luke, Lionel, Carrie and Ryan welcome the newest class of American Idol hopefuls (pictured is Jesse Findling) to Idol University in Nashville, where future stars take their first steps toward becoming the next American Idol on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless)
