Watch Georgia man with autism move ‘American Idol’ judges with emotional performance
A Georgia man with autism moved the “American Idol” judges with his story and his performance.
It earned him a golden ticket straight to Hollywood.
Sam Finelli, 28, from Gwinnett County, Georgia, shared his journey growing up with autism during his “American Idol” audition, which aired March 13.
“The reason why I chose ’Rainbow’ by Kacey Musgraves is because it’s just been like my song. It’s gotten me through some hardships, hard times,” Finelli told the cameras.
Finelli said he is autistic, has learning disabilities and was “severely bullied growing up.”
“But I don’t let those things define me,” he said in an interview with “American Idol.”
“I’m ready to go after my dream,” he added.
Finelli’s mother said her son was diagnosed with high functioning autism and struggled growing up.
“Music helps Sam a lot,” she told “American Idol.”
When judge Katy Perry asked Finelli what he thought about being the last one to audition for the day, Finelli answered, “I’m excited!”
As Finelli finished the song, the three judges gave him a standing ovation, and tears filled his eyes.
“You were born enough,” Lionel Richie told Finelli. “And what we consider your handicap is your gift, you understand me? You are enough.”
Finelli said Richie’s words struck a chord as he struggled with feeling “never good enough for anyone or anything.”
“It was really kind and sweet of him to say those words,” he said.
Finelli said he was also singing the song for his grandmother who died of cancer.
“My grandmother was my biggest role model and my biggest supporter,” he said.
“I think today she was with me,” Finelli added.
Finelli joins former Miss Georgia and Miss America Betty Cantrell Maxwell as the Georgians continuing on “American Idol,” according to WSB.
He told “American Idol” he hopes he can make the judges proud in Hollywood.
“I’m going to work really hard, I’m going to give it 110%,” he said. “Not only for myself, but for my grandmother up in heaven who is hopefully looking down on me.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Watch Georgia man with autism move ‘American Idol’ judges with emotional performance."
