{"url":"https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/jesse-findling-american-idol-amovjizo","title":"Massapequa Park's Jesse Findling out of American Idol top 12","domain":"newsday.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/9009512/pexels-photo-9009512.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"singer on stage","category":"Entertainment","language":"en","slug":"bd3cbfcc","id":"bd3cbfcc-3b73-4f04-a12f-2ffc60c928db","description":"Massapequa Park singer Jesse Findling reached the top 12 on *American Idol* but was eliminated after insufficient viewer votes.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Massapequa Park singer **Jesse Findling** reached the top 12 on *American Idol* but was eliminated after insufficient viewer votes.\n- He performed Oasis' \"**Wonderwall**\" in the 90s Judges' Song Contest round, earning praise from judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.\n- Findling heads back to Binghamton University as a biology junior after a strong run from audition to top 12.\n\n## The story at a glance\nMassapequa Park's **Jesse Findling**, a 20-year-old Binghamton University student, was eliminated from *American Idol* during Monday's live episode after making the top 12. Host Ryan Seacrest announced his advancement at the start, but he fell short of the top 11 based on viewer votes from his \"Wonderwall\" performance. The article covers his song choice, judges' feedback, and background as a 2023 Massapequa High School graduate.[[1]](https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/jesse-findling-american-idol-amovjizo)\n\n## Key points\n- Findling chose Oasis' 1995 hit \"**Wonderwall**\" over Bryan Adams' \"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You\" and Jeff Buckley's \"**Hallelujah**,\" which he had eyed for the prior \"Songs of Faith\" round.\n- He wrongly guessed country judge **Luke Bryan** picked \"Wonderwall,\" but it was **Lionel Richie**'s selection.\n- **Carrie Underwood** said, \"I would have picked that as the last one you’d have picked, but you did your thing and it worked.\"\n- **Luke Bryan** added, \"Great job. You did your thing with it. A great song choice — and, man, that was one of my favorite things I’ve seen you do.\"\n- The episode followed eliminations of **Julián Kalel** (19, El Paso, Texas) and **Jake Thistle** (21, Paramus, New Jersey) from the prior March 30 votes; last week's results were delayed due to vote-counting issues.\n- Findling is on spring-semester break from Binghamton, majoring in biology.\n\n## Details and context\nThe two-hour \"90s Judges’ Song Contest\" episode started with Findling in the top 12, creating a roller-coaster feel before his exit at the end. He had advanced steadily: golden ticket audition with Benson Boone's \"In the Stars,\" top 30 via Adele's \"Love in the Dark,\" top 20 with Ed Sheeran's \"Photograph,\" and top 14 after The Fray's \"You Found Me\" in Hawaii.[[2]](https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-idol-jesse-findling-s55kbyuw)[[3]](https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-idol-hollywood-week-jesse-findling-e3c7zo70)[[4]](https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-idol-jesse-findling-ohana-xm7ozouc)\n\nFindling, a lifelong stutterer who overcame nerves in his emotional audition, drew local support in Massapequa Park, including a pre-performance visit to his alma mater Massapequa High School.[[5]](https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/jesse-findling-american-idol-massapequa-park-kmg7g39y)\n\nThis marks the end of his run in season 24, now down to top 11.\n\n## Key quotes\n- **Carrie Underwood**: “I would have picked that [song] as the last one you’d have picked, but you did your thing and it worked.”[[1]](https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/jesse-findling-american-idol-amovjizo)\n- **Luke Bryan**: “Great job. You did your thing with it. A great song choice — and, man, that was one of my favorite things I’ve seen you do.”[[1]](https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/jesse-findling-american-idol-amovjizo)\n\n## Why it matters\nFindling's journey highlights a local talent's quick rise on a national stage, inspiring Long Island viewers amid *American Idol*'s ongoing popularity. Fans lose a strong vocalist mid-competition, but he returns to college with exposure that could boost future music chances. Watch the top 11 performances to see who advances toward the season winner.","hashtags":["#americanidol","#massapequa","#longisland","#singingcompetition","#talentshow","#realitytv"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/jesse-findling-american-idol-amovjizo","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-idol-jesse-findling-s55kbyuw","title":""},{"url":"https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-idol-hollywood-week-jesse-findling-e3c7zo70","title":""},{"url":"https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-idol-jesse-findling-ohana-xm7ozouc","title":""},{"url":"https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/jesse-findling-american-idol-massapequa-park-kmg7g39y","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-08T05:41:04.744Z"}