The Iam Tongi American idol story is inspiring and emotional in equal parts. Tongi also became the champion of Season 21 of American Idol, and he is one of the best contestants on the show. The 20-year-old singer from Georgia proved himself an excellent singer and performer.
His personal life has been very tragic right from the beginning. The judges found his tale tear-jerking, and he moved everyone with his performance as well. In this article, we are going to discuss this marvelous young singer and the places he is going to go.
Where is He Now?
Even several months after his success at American Idol, he is still making huge waves in the world of music. His performance of the James Blunt song Monsters was one of the best in the business and he even recorded a song with his idol. One cannot imagine such an honor for someone of his tender age.
This happens to be a full-circle moment as well. He was evidently very excited when his performance with Blunt reached a huge audience and earned him even more fame than he currently has.
The Iconic Audition
His American Idol audition drew the largest audience of the season, amassing 16 million YouTube views in just three months. During this audition, Tongi, an 18-year-old high school senior from Hawaii, sang “Monsters” by James Blunt and dedicated the performance to his father, who had passed away a few months before.
He emotionally shared with the Idol judges that his father inspired his musical journey. His heartfelt performance moved judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to tears. This shows he was always destined to be a solid contender for the ultimate crown of the contest.
Definitely Hitting a Nerve
After his “Idol” audition, he shared with producers how he and his dad connected through music. His dad had always wanted him to audition for “American Idol.” In fact, Tongi had tried out for the show before.
In an interview with The Kent Reporter, he chuckled as he remembered his father’s response when he didn’t make it on the show. He said, “He was like, ‘Son, we need to have a talk. You should work on your music.’
My dad, he wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t a saint, but he was the best dad I know. I want everyone to know that he was a strong guy. He always told me the truth; he always loved me, and I loved him too.”
Iam Tongi Songs
While on “Idol,” Tongi sang various songs, such as “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens, “Bring it On Home to Me” by Sam Cooke, and “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel. He also released a new single called “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
Here are some of his performances from his time on “Idol.” The amount of songs he sang during his time on American Idol is incredible. His vocal range is also something to talk about.
A Philanthropist at Heart
He is the first person of Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent to win the American Idol. Since this is a very unique badge attached to his breast, he uses it to great effect now. He recently used his status and wealth to help those affected by the Mauii fires.
He also performed a tribute on Good Morning America and beseeched fans to conduct their own research into the right organizations to donate to. Longi also urged people to donate to the Maui cause and help them with whatever they could and however they could.
Also read: Where is Putri Ariani Now? Let’s Find Out
