Iam Tongi Joins Forces With Oliver Steele For Ed Sheeran Cover On ‘American Idol’
Sheeran watched on as a guest judge.
Oliver Steele, Iam Tongi; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
ABC’s American Idol returned on Sunday evening with the Top 8 and among the performances was a duet between standout contestants Iam Tongi and Oliver Steele.
The pair previously performed as a duo dubbed “Kindred Spirits” during the Hollywood duets where they sang The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears.”
This time, they reunited to perform Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph.”
This Isn’t The First Time The Contestants Collaborated
Steele, who hails from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, and Tongi, who is from Kahuku, Hawaii, took the stage together along with their acoustic guitars to perform in front of Idol judge Luke Bryan and guest judges Sheeran and Alanis Morissette. They were joined by a small orchestra.
Sheeran was all smiles at the conclusion of their performance and cheered them on from the judges’ panel.
Sheeran Approved
Within seconds, the Idol audience then chanted Iam’s name.
Sheeran was the first to speak following their duet.
“Just how well your voices complement each other. It was so beautiful to listen to like your vocal tones fit so well with each other. I know that both of you have like… I’m listening to it knowing that there’s a crazy power singing ability that’s in there, but just gentleness and soulfulness you’re bringing… I got emotional listening to that, it was good,” he said.
Morisette then addressed the pair. “Iam and Oliver, I just know you’re coming from two completely different places and yet you have this really cohesive respective connection with each other. I was just really moved and hearing men be vulnerable is… be still my beating heart,” she admitted.
Bryan praised the contestants’ “beautiful harmonies” and complimented the overall performance.
“I feel like I know them as they perform and it’s so fun seeing them watching Ed watch them, but great job. Great arrangement guys. Really beautiful, really emotional and spiritual and I just thought y’all did a great job,” he said.
Watch
Following their performance, host Ryan Seacrest asked Iam Tongi and Oliver Steele to talk about their friendship.
“Day one, Hollywood, I’m up in the holding room singing this song called ‘Island Style’ and this man just comes over and just [joins me] with this amazing vibrato and harmonies and we just instantly connected and both of us were raised by our fathers in a world of music,” Steele explained. “Even way after Hollywood week like while my dad was in the hospital, this man was calling my dad and talking to him for like two hours at a time and he’s sitting back there and let me tell you it made my dad’s world for him to do that.”
Steele then turned to Tongi and shared, “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know if I’ll go home or not, but if I do my money’s on your brother.”
Later in the show, Tongi took the stage to perform a cover of Alanis Morissette’s “Guardian.” The emotional tribute earned praise from the judges.
The Contestants Fate Was Revealed
It was also revealed that Tongi secured a spot in the Top 5. Steele, unfortunately, was cut from the competition.
Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette are temporarily replacing Katy Perry and Lionel Richie while they are in England performing as part of the Coronation Celebration for King Charles III.
“I can’t wait to guide you through this stage of the competition and career and yeah this is the first time I’ve done this on American Idol, I can’t wait to take the iconic American Idol stage,” Sheeran previously shared. “Mostly, I’m just looking forward to meeting all of you and talking through life and music and I hope you’re having a great time and I’ll see you very, very soon. Lots of love.”
“I am so excited to be mentoring and hearing your interpretations of my songs. I can’t wait to hear them and surprise I’m going to be guest judging with Luke as well. So I can’t wait to see you,” Morissette previously added.
Perry and Richie made a brief appearance during Idol with a video from Windsor Castle.
American Idol airs every Sunday and Monday at 8/7c via ABC.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
You may also like
Country Next
Playlist
On Repeat
Get the latest country music news delivered straight to your inbox.
