Binghamton student earns golden ticket after finding his voice on American Idol

When the judges rose to their feet, the moment felt bigger than just an audition for Binghamton University junior Jesse Findling. It marked years of perseverance, self-expression and growth – and the beginning of a new chapter on a national stage.

Findling, who is from Long Island and majoring in biology with a minor in musical theatre, earned a golden ticket to Hollywood during the Season 24 premiere of American Idol after performing “In The Stars” by Benson Boone. His Nashville audition received a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, a reaction he said was both surreal and validating.

“To see them all standing up was insane,” Findling said. “I just kind of poured my heart out, and to see them stand up and say all these amazing things was unexpected. Going into Hollywood Week, it made me feel more confident.”

Music is closely tied to Findling’s experience growing up with a stutter, which made speaking in class difficult and often left him feeling self-conscious. Singing offered a way to express himself freely and without fear of judgment, beginning with karaoke at home with his siblings and continuing through school choirs and performances.

“Singing has always been something I’ve loved because I don’t stutter when I sing,” Findling said. “It was always like an escape for me and a way for me to say things without worrying about what people were going to think.”

Opening up about his stutter during his audition marked an important turning point. Sharing that part of himself on national television allowed him to reflect on his growth while recognizing the impact his story could have on others facing similar challenges.

“Being able to talk about my stutter on American Idol has honestly been super healing,” he said. “Knowing that so many people who stutter are watching my audition and seeing themselves in me makes me happy that I did the show in the first place.”

Findling chose “In The Stars” after carefully considering which song would best reflect his voice and personal story. The song held particular significance because he and his brother, who also has a stutter, often sang it together.

“It was a song that my brother and I would sing with each other,” Findling said. “It was just a special song for us, and it just felt like the right song for the moment.”

His path to the American Idol stage began after he started sharing videos of himself singing on social media, despite initial hesitation about putting himself in front of an audience. Posting those videos strengthened his confidence and ultimately led to the opportunity to audition.

“I started posting more on social media, which was always such a scary thing for me,” Findling said. “I was one of those people who worried about what others would think, but looking back now, I’m so glad I did it.”

At Binghamton, Findling became more involved in musical theatre during his sophomore year, performing in Anything Goes, where he found both a creative outlet and a sense of community. The experience helped him grow more confident as a performer and prepared him for opportunities on larger stages.

“Being able to do shows at Binghamton really helped me,” Findling said. “Performing in musicals prepared me for my audition in ways I didn’t even realize at the time.”

To fully pursue the opportunity, Findling decided to take the semester off to focus on music and the demands of the competition. He said he viewed the decision as a chance to commit himself fully to his passion and explore what could come next.

“American Idol can only happen once, and school’s always there,” Findling said. “I wanted to put my all into singing for the semester and really try to take advantage of being on American Idol.”

Although he is away from campus, Findling said the support from fellow students and the Binghamton community has remained strong.

“Going to Binghamton University and knowing so many people there are watching my journey and supporting me makes me super happy,” he said.

Findling will next appear during Hollywood Week, which continues on ABC on March 2, as contestants compete for a spot in the next round. As he continues his journey, Findling said he hopes his experience encourages others to embrace what makes them unique and pursue their passions with confidence.

“Your stutter is something that makes you, you, embrace it,” Findling said. “If you’re lacking confidence, you just have to go for it. You just have to believe in yourself and do what makes you happy. And the biggest thing is, don’t care about what other people think.”