Who is Sam Finelli? The contestant who got a standing ovation from the American Idol judges

Source: IG

Sam Finelli received the Golden Ticket to Hollywood Week in the season 20 American Idol competition
He wowed the judges with his performance and also got a standing ovation from the judges
Finelli is a bakery cashier by profession
According to his mother, he has high-functioning autism

Another contestant Sam Finelli wows the judges with his performance.

The third episode of ‘American Idol’ Season 20 aired on Sunday, March 13, where American Idol judges gave contestant Sam Finelli a standing ovation.

He sang an emotional edition of “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves that brought tears to the eyes of a trio of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

Before his performance, a video reel was shared in which Finelli shared that he has no experience performing in public and most of his singing has been limited to his bedroom, basement, and shower.

Sam Finelli received the Golden Ticket to Hollywood Week (Source: IG)

He said,

“I have done some karaoke around our town and that was pretty exciting and that’s about it. I am going to be honest with y’all. I never thought I would be here in a million years.”

He was accompanied by his mother, Suize to the auditions. Suize revealed that he has high-functioning autism and also added, “Music helped Sam a lot.”

She said,

“He puts in his earbuds and that’s how he learned to cope,”

He described himself as different as a kid who grew up lonely and music was his best friend.

Also, read “How Did Tomboyish American Idol Contestant Leah Marlene Impress The Judges?”

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American Idol Judges’ Comments

Sam was the last contestant of the day who also received the Golden Ticket to Hollywood Week after his performance.

The judges even gave him a standing ovation and his touching performance brought tears to the eyes of the judges.

Richie told the singer, “What you consider your handicap is your gift. Do you understand me? You are enough.” Richie then asked Perry to continue with the comments as he was near tears.

“Sam, I think you picked the perfect song because I think there has always been a rainbow hanging over your head,” said Perry.

Whereas Finelli responded,

“I needed this song 20 years ago. I did.”

Sam Finelli wows the 'American Idol' judges with his performance — Sam Finelli wows the ‘American Idol’ judges with his performance (Source: IG)

Perry added,

“All you have to do is let go of all that fear and negativity and always sing from your heart. That’s all you have to do and that’s what you did just then. We felt that.”

Also, read “Aretha Franklin’s Granddaughter Grace Franklin Auditioned For American Idol Season 20”

Similarly, Bryan said,

“I love an experience and that felt like an experience. Thank you for being here.”

After all of the judge’s comments, Sam said, “This was the best day of my entire life. This is my moment.”

Who is Sam Finelli?

Sam Finelli has high-functioning autism (Source: IG)

Sam was born on 5 January 1964 to his father Samuel A. Finelli Sr. and his mother Louise Sonata Finelli. His father is the owner of Saf Sports LLC located in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. Sam has also a sister named Elizabeth Finelli.

By profession, he is a bakery cashier but he also loves to bake. Presently, he works at Peachtree Corners Bakery.

Talking about his academic qualification, he enrolled at Beacon College where he graduated with a major in Business Management in 2020. Further, he is also an avid animal lover.

Also, read “Who is the boyfriend of 19th season ‘American Idol’ contestant Brennan ‘Beane’ Hepler?”

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