Re-Live Iam Tongi’s Show-Stopping Night At The ‘American Idol’ Finale
Iam Tongi prevailed as the winner of ‘American Idol’ season 21.
IAM TONGI; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
Iam Tongi was crowned the winner of season 21 of American Idol during the star-studded finale on Sunday (May 21). Prior to his celebratory moment, Tongi had the chance to showcase his vocal talents through several performances.
First up, the stand-out contestant delivered a goosebumps-inducing performance of Keith Urban’s “Making Memories Of Us.”
The 18-year-old American Idol finalist connected to the song as it reminds him of his late father.
“Every single time we listen to your music, it reminds us of my dad,” Tongi told guest mentor and performer Keith Urban ahead of his performance.
Surrounded by bright blue lights and strumming an acoustic guitar, Iam Tongi, pulled at viewers heartstrings as he effortlessly belted out the lyrics to the multi-week chart-topping hit.
The crowd lit up their cell phone lights as he sang, “And I’m gonna love you/ Like nobody loves you/ And I’ll earn your trust/ Makin’ memories of us.”
As the music ended, the audience rose to their feet to give him a standing ovation as they chanted his name.
“Can I just say one thing? In between you and Megan. I had to reach down and grab a little tissue and fold it into a little triangle because every time you come on and you sing… the vibration comes out of your mouth and it goes through the weeds of people’s hearts and it just gets to them. It moves us so much, so when you sing I am ready to feel baby,” judge Katy Perry told him after his performance.
Luke Bryan also applauded Tongi’s ability to evoke emotions when he is on stage.
“Man, you just have a natural gift from God to create the emotion… to tell the story… Right before, I love that song by Keith, and I looked at Katy and said ‘this is a badass song he’s fixin’ to sing.’ And what’s crazy about that is… it was one of my favorite performances of the year for me. It was just beautiful, perfection,” he gushed.
Lionel Richie once again praised the 18-year-old as a storyteller.
“The greatest part of your being besides your amazing, infectious smile and personality is the fact that you are an incredible storyteller and we get to listen to the words and I’m like Katy… Why am I sitting here tearing up on a song I already know, but you have a great delivery and that’s what’s going to make your career shine forevermore,” he said.
Tongi’s connection to the song goes deep.
“My mom and my dad used to dance to that sign in the living room all the time…” he said.
Later in the show, Iam Tongi returned to the stage to perform “Cool Down” by Kolohe Kai, which earned another standing ovation from the Idol judges.
“Iam, you are the culture. You bring culture to American Idol and when we first met you, you said ‘I don’t live in Hawaii anymore because I was priced out of paradise. Welcome to paradise to my friend,” Katy Perry said.
He also performed his debut single, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” shared the stage with James Blunt for an emotional duet, and closed the show with Spawnbreezie’s “Don’t Let Go” to celebrate his big win.
Tongi’s American Idol audition is of the most-viewed auditions of season 21 of American Idol.
Throughout the season, Tongi performed songs such as “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Don’t Let Go” by Spawnbreezie, “The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA, “Stuck On You” by Lionel Richie, “Bring It On Home To Me” by Sam Cooke, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, and more.
Live from Hollywood, the three-hour Season 21 finale of American Idol also featured performances from the Idol judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as the top 3 finalists: Megan Danielle, Colin Stough, and Iam Tongi.
Additionally, Ellie Goulding, Jelly Roll, Pitbull, TLC, Lil Jon, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson and Lauren Daigle also performed throughout the broadcast.
American Idol alums Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken also returned to the show.
Country superstar Keith Urban, who served as an American Idol judge during seasons 12 to 15, was on hand to mentor the top 3.
“To be able to come in as a mentor, and play as well, is incredible,” he told PEOPLE. “That was home for me for several seasons, and the mentoring part is probably one of the things I always enjoyed the most, getting to work with the artist one-on-one.”
During the show, several other fan-favorite contestants returned to the American Idol stage, including Haven Madison, Olive Steele, Wé Ani, Zachariah Smith, Warren Peay, and more.
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the American Idol season 21 finale aired on Sunday, May 21 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT.
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.
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