Jesse Findling is a 20-year-old college student and American Idol 2026 contestant from Massapequa, Long Island, New York. He is doing a degree in biology and musical theater at SUNY Binghamton, demonstrating a blend of academic commitment and artistic passion. Despite his stutter challenge, music became his emotional outlet and method of self-expression — a place where his voice could truly shine. He always wanted to be a singer.
For his audition on the 24th season of American Idol, Jesse chose to perform “In The Stars” by Benson Boone — a song he and his brother often sing together because of its emotional resonance. Onstage, his powerful, expressive performance earned him a standing ovation from the judges and a coveted Golden Ticket to Hollywood Week.
Jesse Findling biography
| Born name | Jesse Findling |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthplace | Long Island, New York |
| Birth date | N/A |
| Residence | Massapequa |
| Profession | Actor and singer |
| Nationality | American |
Jesse Findling age
American Idol contestant Jesse Findling’s age is 20 years as of American Idol Season 24, 2026. From a young age, Jesse lived with a speech challenge that deeply affected his confidence and self-expression during his school years.
| Age in 2026 | 20 years |
| Birth date | N/A |
| Parents | Americans |
| Birth year | N/A |
| Hometown | Massapequa |
| Occupation | Actor and singer |
Jesse Findling parents and family
Jesse Findling was born to American parents. Findling is very close to his family and has shared that they’ve been a big part of his journey. He grew up in Massapequa, Long Island, where his family supported his love for music. One of the most touching parts of his story is that he often sings with his younger brother, and they share a strong bond. Jesse has also mentioned that his brother has a stutter too, which makes their connection through singing even more meaningful. Overall, his family comes across as supportive, grounded, and proud of his progress.
| Father | American |
| Mother | American |
| Sibling | Younger brother |
| Affair | N/A |
| Citizenship | American |
Jesse on American Idol audition
“I was under a lot of stress and pressure, and I knew that I was going to stutter more under that environment, which was scary at first. But I knew I had to be brave . . . and know that walking into that room, it’s not about my stutter, it’s about my voice.”
On his stutter
“There’s a whole science behind it. When you sing, you’re using a different part of your brain.”
On his inspiration
He hopes his story inspires kids with speech impediments. He says, “I wanted to be something that, maybe a kid … would watch my audition and feel inspired to do something big or even just raise their hand in class.” He often sang with his younger brother, who also stutters.
Judges’ reaction & personal impact
His soulful audition earned a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.
Lionel Richie echoed confidence back to him: “What problem? You don’t have a problem.”
FAQs
Q. Who is Jesse Findling?
A. Jesse Findling is a 20-year-old singer from Long Island, New York. He’s currently a SUNY Binghamton junior studying biology and musical theater and rose to fame as a contestant on American Idol.
Q. What makes Jesse Findling’s story unique?
A. Jesse has a lifelong stutter but discovered that when he sings, the stutter disappears. His journey showcases how music can help overcome speech challenges.
Q. What song did Jesse sing for his American Idol audition?
A. He performed Benson Boone’s “In The Stars”, delivering a soulful rendition that impressed the judges.
Q. How did the judges react to his audition?
A. Jesse received a standing ovation from Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. Lionel Richie reassured him, saying: “What problem? You don’t have a problem.”
Q. Did Jesse’s stutter affect his audition performance?
A. No — while Jesse was nervous because of his stutter, it didn’t show while singing. He uses singing as a way to bypass the part of the brain that triggers stuttering.
Q. Why is Jesse’s story inspiring to others?
A. He hopes to encourage kids and people with speech impediments to pursue their dreams, showing that challenges like stuttering don’t have to hold you back.
Q. How does Jesse connect his performances to his family?
A. He often thinks of his younger brother, who also stutters, and hopes his journey can inspire him and others facing similar challenges.
Q. How did Jesse feel after the audition?
A. He said walking out of the audition room felt transformative like a new, more confident version of himself.
Q. What are Jesse’s future plans beyond American Idol?
Though he initially considered a medical career, Jesse now sees music as a real path, combining his talent in singing with his love for musical theater.
Q. Q: What is stuttering?
A. Stuttering is a speech disorder where a person’s speech flow breaks with repetitions, prolonged sounds, or pauses/blocks while speaking.
Q. What message does Jesse convey about overcoming challenges?
A. He emphasizes that persistence, self-belief, and finding one’s passion — like singing — can help overcome obstacles, whether it’s a stutter or other personal challenges.
