Several months after his victory on American Idol, Iam Tongi continues to enjoy success in the music industry.
Here’s a look at what the 19-year-old singer has been up to since being declared the Season 21 champion.
Where is Iam Tongi now?
Tongi’s audition for “American Idol,” a performance of the James Blunt song “Monsters,” was the most-watched audition of Season 21 – winning by a landslide. To date, it has 22 million views on YouTube.
In late August, Tongi celebrated a turning point when he recorded a duet version of the song with Blunt, Country Now reported.
From doing the cover on Tiktok three years ago to singing at my audition @americanidolto perform it at the Idol finale @James Blunt“Monster” means so much to me. I’m so excited to announce that James and I will be dating on August 25th. will release an official duet of “Monsters” 🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/h1PMeNgJ84
– I’m Tongi (@wtongi) August 16, 2023
“From covering it on Tiktok three years ago to singing it at my audition on @americanidol to performing on the Idol finale with @jamesblunt, ‘Monsters’ means so much to me,” Tongi shared X, formerly Twitter. “I’m very excited to announce that James and I will be releasing an official duet of ‘Monsters’.”
As the first Hawaiian and Pacific Islander to win “Idol,” Tongi also used his platform to offer support to those affected by the Maui wildfires. He recently sang a tribute on “Good Morning America” and urged fans to “do some research on the right organizations to donate to and also say prayers for Maui.”
Tongi is currently in the middle of his first tour – which he recently announced would expand to the East Coast in October and November. On September 9, the singer will perform at the Holo Holo Music Festival in California, which this year is spotlighting two Hawaii-based nonprofits: the Hawaiian Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund and the Chef Hui Maui Relief Fund, according to American songwriter magazine .
According to bandsintown.com, the singer will perform at Granary Live in Salt Lake City on September 20th.
Iam Tongi speaks about his faith as a Latter-day Saint
During his time on “Idol,” Tongi, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared his faith on social media. At some point during the competition, he shared a video with some other “Idol” contestants in a hotel room singing the Latter-day Saint hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour.”
Tongi has been particularly vocal about his faith since winning American Idol.
“Recently a friend asked me about my faith. At first it seemed like he was trying to make me stupid for believing what I was doing, but when I was ready to talk to him and share my feelings, I learned that he was genuinely curious. “We started a real conversation,” Tongi shared in a social media post for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 11, just weeks after winning “Idol.” “While I was answering his questions, he asked something else, and that gave me the opportunity to speak up and share a candid side. If I didn’t know the answer, I would tell him, “I don’t know yet.” And he had no problem hearing that because he knew I was trying.
“I thank my mother for teaching me courage,” he continued. “She always pushed me to share what I believe. My faith in God and Jesus Christ is part of my story. Your story is my story.
A look back at Iam Tongi’s appearance on ‘American Idol’
For his “Idol” audition, Tongi, then 18, sang “Monsters” and dedicated the performance to his father, who died a few months before the audition, the Deseret News reported.
With emotion, Tongi told the “Idol” jury that his father was the reason he got into music. He expressed his emotions in his performance and brought judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to tears with his rendition of the song.
I am not your son, you are not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No reason to forgive, no reason to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you sleep I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, wouldn’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn to drive away the monsters
Tongi choked up as he reached his final note — but he had already convinced the judges that he would be a strong contender in the “Idol” competition, according to the Deseret News. His rendition of “Monsters” led to the song reaching the top of the iTunes charts, according to The Kent Reporter.
“You hit a nerve, and that’s what great storytellers do,” Katy Perry said. “That’s what great artists do, and your voice is amazing.”
“I can’t stand to see your heart broken because of your dad,” Bryan added. “Just seeing you miss your dad just sucks. My goodness, man, you just have an amazing voice. …You just did everything perfectly and I love you.”
“If you put this out into the world, you’re going to break some souls,” Richie said.
Below are some of Tongi’s performances during his “Idol” run.
“American Idol” Hollywood Week – “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
“American Idol” Top 20 – “The Winner Takes It All”
“American Idol” Top 10 – “Bring It On Home To Me”
“American Idol” Top 8 – “What a Wonderful World”
“American Idol” Top 5 – “Father and Son”