The young musician Iam Tongi is already idolized as he starred for the first time ever in American Idol. ABC is bringing back the television singing reality show American Idol for a 21st season.
The season would be starstruck with judges Katy Perry, Luke Brayn, and Lionel Richie. Ryan Seacrest, the Emmy-winning entertainer is all set to host the show.
The previous season, season 20 of American Idol curtained with Noah Thompson bagging the title win.
ABC is bringing in contestants from lands as vast as possible such as New Orleans, Louisiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Who Is Iam Tongi?
The show has brought in talent William Guy Tongi known by his stage name Iam Tongi.
Iam Tongi on the premiere that aired on Sunday charged the stage with feelings. After his performance, the hearts of the judges are struck with emotions.
Iam Tongi: Nativity, Age, And School
Iam Tongi is a singing artist and songwriter from Kahuku, Hawaii. Tongi was born and brought up in Hawaii. Tongi is of Samoan, Tongon, and Latin-Irish descent. The age of Iam Tongi is 18. Tongi is currently an attendee of Decatur High School, Washington.
Iam Tongi: Family
Iam Tongi hails from a close-knit family of five that includes his mother, sisters, brother, and himself. Tongi is the brother of two sisters named Cassandra Alvina Tongi, and Leilei Tongi; and a brother named Lerod Tongi.
The most unforgettable event in his life was the untimely demise of his father. Iam Tongi’s father left him forever with death more than one year ago in December 2021. At the time of death, his father Rodney Tongi was aged 50.
Tongi is still healing from the scar that the departure of his father made on him. What adds more pain to him is the fact that it was his father who introduced him to the realm of music.
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Iam Tongi: American Idol Premier Performance
The night episode of the Sunday premiere was veiled with sentiments as Tongi teared up the audience with his musical tribute performance to his father.
The season 21 of American Idol exclusively premiered on Feb 19, 2023, Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC.
Iam got onto the stage and started singing a rendition of Monsters by James Blunt. There was no conflict among the audience that he won pure talent.
However, Iam had to struggle while performing the song. Just like how his song got everyone else captivated with emotions, it did the same to him.
A lump of sadness filled his throat and his words became abstract. He could not continue and had to stop in the middle of the song. Iam took a moment to breathe, asked for an apology, and even stopped in between.
Judge Lionel Richie said that every once in a while people would come along who would bring along their instant identity to the table. And that was the case with Iam Tongi.
Richie called Tongi a kid with his heart on his sleeve. While the performance was going on nobody knew anything about the details and whereabouts of Iam’s dad.
After the performance, in his conversation with the judges, he opened up about the sad reality of his life. Richie asked Tongi who got him into music to which Iam replied that it was his father who got him into music. Tongi added that his dad passed away a couple of months ago.
Iam could not handle his emotions well when he mentioned the death of his father. It was known to everyone that Iam and his father shared an intimately bonded relationship and his father meant a lot to Iam. The judges acknowledged this fact too.
Iam Tongi is receiving widespread support from all over. It is talked that there are chances of him being one of the first auditionees to get a direct entry to the show.
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