“American Idol” judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie praised contestant Jesse Findling, who delivered an unforgettable performance while also having a stutter.
In an exclusive clip shared with “Us Weekly” from the Monday, January 26, premiere of Season 24, Findling said, “I’ve had a stutter ever since I was little. It’s something that I’ve struggled with since elementary school. It was something embarrassing for me, 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.”
Watch the clip below to see the judges’ reactions to Findling’s powerful performance of “In the Stars” by Benson Boone.
Watch a Sneak Peek From the Upcoming Premiere of ‘American Idol’
Findling continued, “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 didn’t have to worry about being embarrassed at what people would think or that somebody would laugh.”
He explained that singing was an “outlet” for him when he was little, and “it’s still an outlet for me now.”
“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 can do whatever I want if I work hard,” he explained. “I’ve come a long way with it, and it doesn’t hold me back.”
“Me and my brother sing with each other, and he also has a stutter, so it’s really special when we sing together,” Findling told the judges. “I want to be a role model for him because I knew how hard it was for me in school.”
The judges praised Findling’s attitude, and Underwood said that she could tell he’s “a good big brother.”
When they asked what song he would be singing, Findling replied, “[‘In the Stars’] is the song me and my brother always sing together. I’m going to be thinking of him when I sing it.”
He went on to deliver a touching rendition of Boone’s song. When he was done, the judges jumped to their feet and applauded.
“I don’t think I blinked one time. You’re a real singer,” Bryan told Findling. “Man, I’m really proud of you. I love this show. I love this show because we get to meet kids like you.”
Underwood added, “your voice is beautiful…You have 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.”
“Problem? What problem? You don’t have a problem,” Richie told Findling. “The only thing wrong with you is you have to figure out how you’re gonna navigate this career.”
Findling was then joined by his family, including his brother, who gave Findling a big hug when he saw him. After all three judges gave Findling a resounding “yes,” his family was there to witness him receive a golden ticket.
Everything We Know About Season 24 of ‘American Idol’ So Far
Season 24 will start significantly earlier than the last. The upcoming season will premiere on ABC on Monday, January 26, 2026. This marks the earliest start in a decade and, if the show ends mid-May as it always does, it will be the longest “Idol” season since it moved to ABC in 2018, according to The Boot.
The judges trio are back, marking Underwood’s second season as a judge. Seacrest will be returning as host.
One notable change in Season 24 will be the elimination of “Hollywood Week.” A Golden Ticket will now get you to Nashville for Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover, focusing on a single, high-stakes round.
