Long Island native Jesse Findling captured both the hearts of “American Idol” judges and fans with his inspiring story of overcoming a stutter through his love of singing. During his audition, Findling touchingly dedicated it to his younger brother, who also has a stutter. After a powerful performance of Benson Boone’s “In the Stars,” the 19-year-old earned a unanimous yes from all three judges.
Findling made it to the Top 12 before being eliminated on April 6. Still, going back home to Long Island proved to be a full-circle moment for him as he got to sing the national anthem at a New York Islanders game surrounded by fans who voted for him.
Jesse Findling Is Welcomed Home By Singing the National Anthem at the Islanders’ Game
Disney“American Idol” Top 12 finalist Jesse Findling received a warm hometown welcome in Long Island, where he delivered a special national anthem performance at the New York Islanders season finale game on April 14.
Speaking to The Post, Findling credited his long run on the beloved reality TV show for giving him the courage to take the ice and deliver a powerful performance in front of “his largest-ever live crowd.”
“It wasn’t just about singing for me,” he began. “Doing things like this, I feel like I would have never done before …I definitely feel less shy now than I was. I’m really grateful that the show allowed me to kind of open up in that way,” he said.
Findling shared that he was overjoyed by the support of his growing fanbase, especially back home on Long Island. “Just knowing that everybody [on Long Island] was watching and supporting me feels great. So it’s been a really warm welcome back at home,” he told the outlet.
Findling Opens up About His Stutter on ‘Idol’
Findling candidly spoke about his speech impediment when fans first met him during the Nashville audition rounds. As he met with the judges, he shared, “If you haven’t noticed, I have a stutter, and that’s really where my love for singing came.”
Findling has lived with a stutter since childhood, admitting that he often felt “embarrassed” to participate in class and, at times, “felt alone.” But singing changed everything for him, giving him a sense of freedom; sharing it was the only time he wouldn’t stutter.
“Singing has always felt freeing for me because I don’t stutter,” he explained. “When I sing, it was a way for me to express myself and a way where I didn’t have to worry about being embarrassed by what people would think, if somebody would laugh. It was an outlet for me when I was little, and it’s still an outlet,” he added.
Findling would make it all the way to the Top 12 before being eliminated on April 6. Taking to Instagram, Findling shared that if he was safe, he was going to sing “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel for the season’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night the following week; another nod to his love of his hometown state.
