American Idol Contestant Inspires Judges with Heartfelt Audition Sharing His Journey with a Stutter

NEED TO KNOW

• A contestant on American Idol moved judges when he revealed he grew up with a stutter and found solace in singing.
• Jesse Findling auditioned with Benson Boone’s “In the Stars.”
• All three judges advanced him to Hollywood week with a unanimous “yes.”

Jesse Findling is overcoming personal challenges as he pursues his passion for music.

During the season premiere of American Idol on January 26, the 19-year-old captivated the judges with his heartfelt audition, despite revealing that he has struggled with a stutter since childhood.

“If you haven’t noticed, I have a stutter, and that’s really where my love for singing came,” Findling shared with judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

He elaborated, “I’ve had a stutter ever since I was little and it’s something that I’ve struggled with since elementary school. It was something embarrassing for me, and I had a really hard time with it.”

Jessie Findling.

Disney/Eric McCandless

Despite feeling isolated due to his speech impediment, Findling found refuge in singing. “Singing has always felt freeing for me because when I sing I don’t stutter,” he noted. “It was an outlet for me when I was little and it’s still an outlet for me now.”

He expressed hope regarding his future in music, stating, “Walking out with a golden ticket would mean that everything I’ve struggled with in the past has led me here, and I can do whatever I want if I work hard.”

For his audition, Findling performed “In the Stars” by Benson Boone, earning a standing ovation from the judges.

“I don’t think I blinked one time,” said Bryan, 49. “Wow, you’re a real singer. I’m really proud of you.” He underscored the show’s purpose by stating, “I love this show because we get to meet kids like you.”

Underwood, 42, praised Findling’s “beautiful” voice, highlighting his vibrato and emotional connection to the song. “You just took us right there with you. It was beautiful,” she remarked.

Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.

Disney/Eric McCandless

Richie, 76, reassured Findling, saying, “Problem? What problem? You don’t have a problem. The only thing wrong with you is you have to figure out how you’re going to navigate this career,” smiling as he spoke.

When the judges cast their votes, Bryan and Richie quickly said “yes.” Underwood added, “I think you can go very far in this competition. We just haven’t had voices like yours come in through the doors. I’m really excited to give you a big ole yes.”

Reflecting on his experience, Findling admitted that he was thinking of his younger self during his performance. “The fact that I got this is proof that everything is working out how it should,” he concluded.

American Idol airs episodes every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.