Iam Tongi became a well-known singer after his incredible audition on “American Idol” Season 21 in February 2023. During his audition, he sang “Monsters” by James Blunt, which had such a powerful impact on the judges that they were moved to tears. As a result of his moving performance, they awarded him a ticket to the next round.
Furthermore, a passionate fan expressed on Twitter that if you didn’t shed tears when Iam Tongi sang “Monsters” on American Idol, it might be a sign that you lack a compassionate heart.
Who is Iam Tongi?
Iam Tongi is a dedicated and talented singer known for his unique musical style that captivates audiences. His main source of income is the music industry. Despite gaining fame, he’s celebrated for living a modest life and prioritizing his love for music over material wealth.
As a contestant on American Idol, Iam Tongi has gained a fan following through his exceptional songs and performances, demonstrating his dedication and vocal skills. This budding singer is believed to have a net worth in the thousands of dollars.
Iam Tongi Monsters
Tongi gained immense online popularity for his rendition of James Blunt’s “Monsters,” which he sang as a tribute to his late father, Rodney. After his emotional performance, Lionel Richie expressed his concern about whether they would both make it through the song and reassured Tongi that his father would be proud.
During the lengthy three-hour American Idol finale, James Blunt himself joined Tongi on stage to perform a duet of “Monsters,” creating a special moment.
Audition For American Idol
In Season 20 of American Idol, Tongi tried out but didn’t make it past the initial screening. His mom secretly signed him up again for Season 21, even though he was hesitant due to the disappointment of the previous rejection. He didn’t expect to advance beyond the audition round. This time, he faced the judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan.
During his audition, Tongi mentioned relocating to Washington because he couldn’t afford to stay where he was. When asked about his father, he became emotional and shared that his dad, Rodney, had passed away a few months earlier, and Rodney was the one who inspired his love for music.
Tongi hadn’t planned to talk about his dad initially because he didn’t want it to be seen as a sob story. Tongi’s audition featured a heartfelt performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters,” dedicated to his late father. This moved all three judges, and he received a standing ovation along with a unanimous vote to proceed to the next round.
Iam Tongi Sound of Silence
During the finale, 18-year-old Tongi, who had consistently impressed the judges throughout the season, performed “I’ll Be Seeing You.” With his acoustic guitar in hand, Tongi sang about how the memory of his father’s laughter lingers in his mind.
He also expressed the loneliness he feels since his father’s passing but reassured his dad that he would be okay. On the song’s powerful chorus, Tongi sang, “I’ll be seeing you/ Seeing you/ Wherever I go”. His heartfelt performance, along with the emotional depth of the song, deeply moved the viewers.
One fan on YouTube expressed, “This song makes me cry like a baby but makes me feel like my parents are close … Thank you, Iam for such a beautiful gift”. Another fan wrote, “That was outstanding! That was honestly the best performance of the season and his best performance of the season! He had me crying the whole time.
Iam Tongi Concert Gun
Tongi in O’ahu’s North Shore on May 16. However, there were concerns about security after a social media post suggested that someone had a firearm at the concert.
Although no direct threats were made, this incident left some attendees feeling uneasy. The Hawaii Police Department (HPD) is actively seeking information and urges the public to call 911 with any relevant details.
The event’s organizers, even though it was arranged on short notice, had 40 Honolulu police officers and 70 private security guards present at the venue. Despite ongoing discussions about the need for heightened security measures, some concertgoers believe that the existing measures were sufficient.
Journey of Life
Before making his appearance on American Idol, Tongi had already released several singles. He wrote “Dreams” for his sister’s wedding in 2020. He also had pre-Idol singles such as a cover of ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All” and an original single, “Gone.”
Just a few days before the season finale of American Idol, Tongi released the single “I’ll Be Seeing You”. It achieved significant success, reaching No. 3 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales and No. 1 on Rock Digital Song Sales, with 11,000 downloads.
Tongi attributes his success to Hawaii-born singer Jack Johnson. He mentored him and helped him navigate the music industry. He also gives credit to his family for keeping him grounded despite his rise to fame. One of the most important lessons he’s learned since winning the competition is to remain true to oneself. And, further not let others pressure him into becoming someone he’s not.
Wrapping Up
Iam Tongi is a gifted singer. He achieved fame with a heartfelt audition on “American Idol” Season 21 in 2023. His rendition of “Monsters” by James Blunt left the judges in tears and earned him a ticket to the next round. Known for his authenticity and dedication to music, Tongi’s story resonated with fans. His journey is a testament to the power of music to connect with emotions and hearts.
