Iam Tongi is an exceptional American singer and TV personality who made history by winning season 21 of American Idol. His victory marked several significant milestones, as he became the first Hawaii-born Pacific Islander to achieve this feat, and also broke a streak of three years without a non-country singer claiming the title. Tongi's remarkable talent and unique voice propelled him to success, solidifying his place as a celebrated champion of the renowned singing competition. His heartfelt rendition of James Blunt's "Monsters" during the audition moved the judges to tears, securing him a coveted ticket to the next stage of the competition. His musical journey began to blossom during his fifth-grade years, thanks to a dedicated teacher who imparted the skills of playing the ukulele. Channeling his creative spirit, he unveiled his debut single, "Dreams," in 2020, crafting it as a heartfelt gift for his sister's joyous wedding celebration. Before participating in American Idol, Iam Tongi had released a couple of singles. These included a cover of ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" and an original song titled "Gone". Just a few days before the season finale of American Idol, Tongi surprised fans by releasing a new single called "I'll Be Seeing You". This song received tremendous success, reaching No. 3 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart and securing the top spot on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart. It garnered an impressive 11,000 downloads, further solidifying Tongi's growing popularity and musical prowess. Through his talent and genuine emotional connection, Iam Tongi continues to captivate audiences with his remarkable musical prowess and touching performances.
Iam Tongi, the exceptional American singer and TV personality, made history as the winner of American Idol Season 21. Tongi's audition with James Blunt's "Monsters" moved the judges to tears and secured his place in the competition. His musical journey started with the ukulele in fifth grade, and he debuted with the heartfelt single "Dreams" for his sister's wedding. Prior to American Idol, Tongi released notable singles, including a cover of ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" and the original song "Gone". His latest single, "I'll Be Seeing You", soared to No. 3 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales and topped the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, solidifying his growing popularity and musical talent.
Iam Tongi, whose real name is William "Guy" Tongi, was born on September 1, 2004. His birthplace is in Kahuku, Hawaii. He was born to his parents, Rodney Guy and Lillie N Rodney Tongi. With a unique mix of Tongan, Samoan, and Irish heritage, Iam Tongi proudly holds Hawaiian nationality. As the youngest of five siblings, he has four older brothers and sisters: Cassandra Alvina Tongi Mortensen, Jennifer Tongi, Lerod Tongi, and Sitaleki Tongi. He celebrated his 18th birthday in 2023 and his zodiac sign is Virgo. Throughout his life, his father instilled in him a passion for singing, considering it his true calling. During his American Idol audition, a touching moment was captured on screen as Iam and his father sang together. In a voice-over, Iam expressed that his father is the primary reason he pursues music. Unfortunately, his father had passed away a few months before his audition on December 28, 2021. This loss brought tears to Iam's eyes, but he delivered a heartfelt performance of Jame Blunt's "Monsters," a song written by Blunt as a tribute to his own father battling Stage 4 Kidney Disease. Iam's father, born on July 31, 1971, was 50 years old at the time of his passing, and his memory lives on through Iam's emotional rendition on the show. Lillie, Iam's mother, fondly remembers her late husband Rodney on what would have been their 25th wedding anniversary in August 2022. She expressed her deep emotions on Facebook, revealing that this time of year reminds her of him even more. Lillie shared how Rodney showered her with love during their 26 years together, including 24 years of marriage, through gestures such as buying her flowers, jewelry, and clothes, learning and serenading her with love songs, writing heartfelt love notes, and arranging romantic outings and dinners. For his education, Tongi attended Kahuku High & Intermediate School before transferring to Decatur High School in Washington State, where he is currently a senior student. Despite his academic commitments, he is thriving academically and managing to pursue his passion for music. Tongi's musical journey commenced in the fifth grade when he started taking ukulele lessons from a dedicated teacher. Over time, he also acquired proficiency in playing the guitar, showcasing his versatility across both instruments.
In the 2022 season of American Idol, he initially auditioned but unfortunately did not make it past the initial screening. However, unbeknownst to him, his mother signed him up for the auditions of the 2023 season. Initially hesitant to audition again due to his previous rejection, he expressed a negative attitude and doubted his chances of advancing beyond the audition round. Nevertheless, he found himself face-to-face with the esteemed panel of judges, including Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. During his audition, he opened up about his relocation to Washington, explaining that he had been "priced out of paradise." When the topic of his father arose, Tongi became emotional, tearfully revealing that his father, Rodney, had passed away just a few months prior and had been the one who encouraged his musical journey. Tongi had not planned on sharing this personal story, as he did not want his journey to be perceived as a sob story. With his audition, he delivered a profoundly touching performance of James Blunt's "Monsters," dedicated to his late father. His heartfelt rendition moved all three judges to tears and earned him a unanimous vote to proceed to the next round. The audition video quickly went viral, amassing 112,000 Instagram followers within two days after the performance. It also became the most-watched audition video on American Idol's YouTube channel, garnering over 16 million views in just three months.
One of Tongi's most significant obstacles on his "American Idol" journey arose during Hollywood Week, where he encountered a major setback when his guitar unexpectedly broke and he also lost his voice. Overwhelmed with emotions, he found himself in tears as he stood before the judges, revealing that he had made a promise to his late father to use the guitar for every performance. However, Tongi later expressed that he interpreted this incident as a sign from his father, a message that he could succeed independently, even without relying on his guitar. With newfound determination, Tongi resolved to continue in the competition, understanding that he would appear in subsequent rounds without the instrument that had been a symbol of his connection to his father. During the highly anticipated season finale of American Idol, Tongi joined forces with James Blunt for a deeply poignant duet of Blunt's powerful song "Monsters," the very same song that had captured hearts during Tongi's audition. The performance was a profoundly emotional moment, leaving both the judges and the audience in tears. Overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, Tongi himself experienced a momentary breakdown while singing, but he managed to gather himself and bravely completed the performance. Reflecting on this heartfelt moment, Tongi later shared the poignant words, "My dad always told me that I'm gonna make it one day and that he probably wouldn't be around to see me be successful. When I was on stage, I was crying because I was thinking about when he said that to me. He was hoping this for me since the beginning." Tongi's raw and genuine connection to the song and the memories of his father resonated deeply with the audience, making it an unforgettable moment in the finale.
Iam Tongi won season 21 of American Idol. He is the first Hawaii-born Pacific Islander, as well as the first non-country singer in three years, to win the competition. Tongi's victory on American Idol sparked a division among fans, with some applauding his win while others criticized the show, claiming that he was solely chosen out of sympathy. However, runner-up Megan Danielle staunchly defended Tongi, praising his humility and undeniable talent, asserting that he was indeed deserving of the title. Tongi himself approached the announcement of the winner with an open mind, expressing his gratitude for making it as far as he did and stating that regardless of the outcome, he would be happy. His legacy on American Idol extends beyond his win, as he made notable song choices throughout the competition. One of his standout performances was a cover of the Hawaiian reggae group Kolohe Kai's song "Cool Down," which he delivered during the finale. This choice garnered praise from both Hawaii recording artists and producers, who commended Tongi for bringing the vibrant sounds of Island Reggae to a national platform. Roman De Peralta, the frontman of Kolohe Kai, expressed his appreciation, recognizing that the American Idol audience presented an opportunity to share their culture and island vibes with a demographic they rarely reached. Tongi himself expressed gratitude for being able to showcase the genre to Idol viewers, emphasizing his desire to represent the islands and the people of Hawaii.
Prior to his American Idol journey, he had already ventured into the world of music with the release of several singles. In 2020, he showcased his songwriting skills by penning a heartfelt track titled "Dreams," which he dedicated to his sister's wedding celebration. Additionally, Tongi demonstrated his versatility by covering ABBA's iconic song "The Winner Takes It All" and presenting another original single titled "Gone" before his Idol experience commenced. Building up to the highly anticipated season finale of American Idol, Tongi surprised his fans by dropping a new single called "I'll Be Seeing You" just a few days prior. The release proved to be a remarkable success, as the song climbed to an impressive No. 3 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart and secured the coveted top spot on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart. Garnering an impressive 11,000 downloads, Tongi's poignant and captivating track resonated with audiences, further cementing his musical prowess and leaving an indelible mark on the charts.
Iam Tongi's relationship status remains undisclosed, leaving fans and followers in the dark about his romantic life. The talented musician maintains a private approach, prioritizing his music career and academic pursuits over publicizing his relationships. Whether he is single or in a relationship is unknown at this time, but it appears that he is currently single. He is not dating anyone right now and there is no news about his affairs and relationship with anyone right now. His sexual orientation is straight and he is not gay.
With a captivating blend of musical abilities, Iam Tongi has emerged as a talented and dedicated singer, drawing audiences to his soulful performances. While his net worth is estimated to be $800K, he chooses to live a humble life, placing his love for music above material wealth. His main source of wealth comes from the music industry and he is making his annual income in thousand of dollars from his career. As an American Idol contestant, he has garnered a devoted following, impressing viewers with his heartfelt renditions. He received the prize money of $250K for winning the show "American Idol 2023". With his passion and rising success, his net worth is sure to increase in the future.
In the world of music, Iam Tongi captivates audiences not only with his handsome features but also with his mesmerizing talent. With striking black eyes that hold a mysterious allure and complement his raven-black hair, he effortlessly stands out from the crowd. Standing at a height of 5 feet and 7 inches, or approximately 170 centimeters, and weighing around 104 kilograms or 230 pounds, Iam's larger-than-life presence exudes confidence and charisma. His magnetic personality has attracted a lot of followers towards him.
Tongi's journey on "American Idol" involved more than just his viral 2023 audition. Prior to his memorable audition, Tongi had previously tried out for the singing competition show, a moment that brought joy to his father, Rodney, who recognized his son's talent. However, Tongi's first attempt did not go as planned, and he did not make it past the initial screening. Rodney, always supportive and insightful, had a heartfelt conversation with Tongi, encouraging him to continue honing his musical skills. Despite the setback, Rodney's belief in Tongi's potential never wavered, and their relationship remained strong, with music being a central part of their connection.
Tongi's audition for "American Idol" on February 19 has made history as the most-watched audition on the show's official YouTube page, accumulating an astounding 16 million views. During this impactful performance, Tongi delivered a heartfelt acoustic rendition of James Blunt's "Monsters," a song he dedicated to his late father, Rodney, who passed away in December 2021, as reported by the Kent Reporter. Tongi emotionally shared with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie that he can still hear his father harmonizing with him on every song he sings. Tongi’s audition has been viewed more than two hundred thousand times on Idol’s YouTube and more than 100 million across all social media.
Originally hailing from Kahuku, a town in O'ahu, Hawaii, Iam Tongi embodies a diverse heritage, encompassing Tongan, Samoan, and Irish roots. At the age of 18, Tongi currently resides in Federal Way, Washington, near Seattle, alongside his family, where they relocated three years ago. When questioned about the move by the judges, Tongi revealed that his family was compelled to leave their Hawaiian paradise due to soaring costs. Despite the relocation, Tongi fondly recalls the close-knit community in Kahuku, where residents would embark on walks while playfully chasing wild chickens. He humorously reminisces about the common occurrence of losing slippers at family gatherings, resulting in individuals either walking barefoot or wearing mismatched slippers. Unfortunately, tragedy befell the Tongi family when Iam's father suffered a heart attack, rendering him unable to work and ultimately prompting their departure from Hawaii. Reflecting on their new home in Washington, Judge Katy Perry warmly welcomed Tongi to what she referred to as "paradise" during the season finale of the show, acknowledging the challenges and changes the family had encountered.
Despite the emotional impact, Tongi clarifies that his tears do not stem from missing his father, but rather from the powerful presence of his father's voice that he still hears. He explains that when he performs, he can vividly imagine his father harmonizing with him in the song. Tongi shares that it is this connection to his father's singing that brings forth his heartfelt emotions and leaves a lasting impression on his performances.
During his audition on American Idol, he shared that his father had passed away a few months prior, on December 28, 2021. The memory of his father brought tears to Iam's eyes before he performed a heartfelt rendition of Jame Blunt's "Monsters," a song that Blunt wrote as a tribute to his own father who had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Disease.
In order to safeguard his precious voice, Iam Tongi has developed a unique ritual of wearing a warm scarf around his neck and staying hydrated. The talented singer revealed that he follows this practice to prevent losing his voice before every performance. Since receiving his golden ticket, Tongi has been extra cautious about vocal care, ensuring he drinks ample fluids and keeps his throat warm with the scarf. Tongi shared with the Kent Reporter that his voice is never fully prepared, and he consistently faces the challenge of losing it prior to singing.