Season 24 Of ‘American Idol’ Already Promises Emotional Performances From Unique Talents
After Season 23 of American Idol, winner Jamal Roberts — as well as runner-ups like John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Slater Nalley — are now on the radar of music-lovers everywhere.
Now, it’s time to start the journey to music stardom anew, as Season 24 begins this coming Sunday, January 26.
Ahead of the premiere of the new season, Idol has released a sneak peek of one of the powerful auditions that await viewers.
Watch Jesse Findling Impress The Judges Despite His Stutter
Released on Tuesday, January 20, on the official YouTube page of American Idol, the show is offering a glimpse of what is bound to be a compelling, and emotionally stirring, season.
Walking in for his audition for the returning Idol judges, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood, 19-year-old Jesse Findling begins to introduce himself, saying, “I’m a college student right now, but I’ve been singing ever since I was little with my brother and sister. We would pull up karaoke tracks and we would just sing with each other, and since then, I did choirs in school.”
He added, “If you haven’t noticed, I have a stutter, and that’s really where my love for singing came.”
In a video incorporating footage from Jesse’s childhood and his path to the Idol auditions, Jesse explains that he has had his stutter since he “was little,” noting he has “struggled with it since elementary school.”
Describing his stutter as a source of “embarrassment,” he recalled that it often led to him hesitating to raise his hand to participate in school.
“It was just something that made me feel alone and that I had to hide,” Jesse stated.
Turning to his knack for singing, Jesse said, “Singing has always felt freeing for me, because, when I sing, I don’t stutter. When I sang, it was a way for me to express myself in a way where I didn’t have to worry about being embarrassed of what people would think or if they would laugh.”
Before singing his audition for the Idol judges, he said, “Walking out with a golden ticket would mean that everything that I’ve struggled with in the past has all led me here, and I can do whatever I want if I work hard.”
Performing “In The Stars” by Benson Boone, from the very first notes, the judges could be seen responding to his voice.
Carrie Underwood looked delighted at first, but soon joined Luke Bryan in tearing up with the strength of Jesse’s performance.
By the end, all three judges gave a standing ovation.
“I don’t think I blinked one time,” remarked Luke Bryan. “You’re a real singer.”
Continuing, Luke said, “Man, I’m really proud of you … I love this show because we get to meet kids like you.”
Carrie Underwood chimed in, saying that Jesse has a “beautiful” voice and complimented how Jesse was “in the song, emotionally.”
Lastly, Lionel Richie said, “The only thing wrong with you is you gotta figure out how to navigate this career.”
Watch Jesse Findling’s performance before the Sunday premiere of Season 24 of American Idol, here:
Notably, this season is expected to see a significant change to Hollywood week, as it is reportedly not going to be in Hollywood at all…
Instead, Season 24 will be favoring the home turf of judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan: Nashville, Tennessee, dubbed the “Music City Takeover.”
The premiere of American Idol Season 24 airs on ABC at 8 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, January 26. Episodes will stream the following day on Hulu.
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