American Idol Contender Jesse Findling Reflects On journey So Far: ‘It Still Doesn’t Feel Real For Me’

MASSAPEQUA, NY — As the latest season of “American Idol” rolls on on ABC, Long Island viewers have gotten to see one of their own take the competition singing show by storm. With a voice that Carrie Underwood called, “just beautiful” and a songbook that already includes Adele’s “Love in the Dark” and Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph,” Massapequa native Jesse Findling’s star has risen as the number of competitors in the field falls.

This Monday, a new challenge is ahead of the 20-year-old Binghamton University student: The first live episode of American Idol’s season. Thus far, the episodes have been pre-taped and aired on a delay. Ahead of that new, live challenge, Findling sat down with Patch to talk about how his Idol run has felt so far.

Patch: You’re gearing up this week for the first live episode of the season, are there any extra nerves when you’re getting ready to sing live on TV in front of so many viewers?

JF: A live show is a whole different beast than what we've already done, because everything has been like, ‘filmed and then it airs later.’ Doing something live is a lot different and you know, there's a lot of moving things. So it takes a lot more work and, me and all the other singers have been working hard with our songs and I’m super excited, but again, it's a lot different. So there are some nerves there, but it's all exciting. Adrenaline.

Patch: The auditions for this season were in Nashville, the first couple of rounds took place in Hawai’i, and now you’re in Los Angeles. How have you liked LA so far? Do you feel like you’ve really adopted the LA mindset?

JF: I’ve been here for a few days now, I got here March 22, and we haven't been able to do much outside of rehearsing for the show. So, besides being at the hotel and at the studio, I haven't been able to do much. I like LA, from what I've seen so far, but I would love to explore a little bit more. I'm from New York, so it's still freezing over there, but it's been great. The weather's awesome. And, yeah, we'd love to explore more.

Patch: When you reflect on your American Idol journey so far, what has been the highlight? What’s the moment that makes you think, “I can’t believe this is real life?”

JF: I mean, getting to sing on this stage. I know that's super vague, but just those moments when the judges stand up, and everybody stands up for you. It's just such a good feeling, because you work so hard each round and you put so much work into the songs that you sing. So to get that reaction feels awesome. And then I would just say, every experience that I've had just with the other singers on the show. We’re all like this huge family, and it feels so good having that family away from home. I think we all have bonded so much, and having each other here in L.A, doing this with each other, makes us that much less nervous. We're just super grateful to have each other.

Patch: It has been about two months since your audition episode aired, back in January. What has been the biggest way your life has changed since appearing on American Idol?

JF: The insane following I've gotten on social media, [and] just walking around [Massapequa] and getting recognized. That's been insane, just going to all the places that I had normally been, but now I go and I get recognized. And it's not just me. My dad will be walking around somewhere and somebody will recognize him. So that stuff, you know, I'm super humble and I'm super grateful for all of that. And it's just still hard to grasp, because it still doesn't feel real for me. But it's been a huge blessing.

Patch: Looking ahead now, as the Idol field narrows, what are your big goals for the rest of the competition? What would success look like for you?

JF: I’m rehearsing my song and hoping that I make it through, but, with the past few rounds that I've done, I've done the best that I feel like I could. So, no matter what the outcome is, I’m excited for what happens if I continue on the show. And, if I do go home, there's still so much more after the show that I have now, because of the show. There's really no bad outcome here, and I'm just excited to see where this journey goes — whether it's still on the show, if I make it through, or even off the show.

Patch: One part of your Idol run a lot of Long Islanders have probably seen by this point, you got to go back to Massapequa High School and perform in front of students and staff. What was it like getting to go back and perform at your old school?

JF: It was great. Just going back and singing at [Massapequa] high school was awesome. My brother still goes there now, so all of his friends were there, then all of the teachers that I had were also there. So it was just awesome. It was super full circle, you know? I was on that stage once, when I did shows back in high school. So, to go back all of these years later, in that way, was really special. And it was fun. I got to sing some of my favorite songs and the support was great, and just knowing that there's everybody at the school still that is rooting for me, and having that support group is really special. I'm super grateful for that.

Patch: Parting shot here, is there any message you want to leave for the folks back in Massapequa who are rooting for you? Anything you want them to know?

JF: I would just want to say that this journey has been awesome, and everybody who's been supporting me back at home has made it so special for me. Knowing that I have that support is awesome. And just keep on watching, keep on supporting! I see all the messages, I see all the support, and that's what fuels me to make my way through the rest of this. It’s been unreal.