‘American Idol’ finalist from LI who used music to beat stutter gets hero’s welcome home
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By Alex Mitchell
Published on April 19, 2026.
Jesse Findling, a 20-year-old Long Island man who used music to overcome a lifelong stutter, has received a hero’s welcome since returning home from the top 12 of “American Idol.” He was recruited by the show after a talent scout saw a video of him singing. His voice and background of using music to fight a speech impediment immediately won over TV judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. The band The Fray recognized Findling for his performance on "You Found Me," and he crushed Boone's "In The Stars" during a Nashville audition. Despite his struggles, Findling sees a path toward a music career beyond social media.
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