WATCH: ‘Idol’ Standout Iam Tongi Delivers Emotional Tribute To His Mother
Tongi’s performance brought guest judge Alanis Morissette to tears.
Iam Tongi; Photo Via YouTube, American Idol
Iam Tongi returned to the American Idol stage with a sweet Top 8 performance dedicated to his mother.
Tongi chose to sing Alanis Morissette’s “Guardian” in honor of his mom. Morissette, who was serving as a guest judge for the episode, also took time to mentor the contestants.
“This song was initially written about my own inner parent talking with all these parts in here and then the chorus was about my son. So kind of turning it around,” she said.
Dedicated His Performance To His Mother
Morissette admitted she got emotional during Iam’s performance of the song.
“Me listening to Iam sing it as though I was his mom brought me to tears because he has this presence of power and yet also has this beautiful vulnerability. If any of my children sang that song to me I would be a mess. I would love to hear you split it up into three parts. The very, very intimate, the middle and then that full-blown.”
The contestant was grateful for Morissette’s guidance and advice.
“Running through the dynamics of the song, it was hard for me. I don’t really know how to go big, but she helped me a lot,” he said, adding “I really want to make Alanis proud, but I mostly want to make my mom proud because this song is about her to her.”
“I think there’s a potential for Iam to have a really sweet moment here,” Morissette added prior to his performance.
As his mother and his siblings watched on from the crowd, Tongi delivered a moving performance of “Guardian.”
Watch
At the conclusion of the performance, the live audience began chanting his name.
The judges, including Luke Bryan, and guest judges Morissette and Ed Sheeran were completely enamored with Iam Tongi’s performance.
“You took what we shared and brainstormed together to a whole other level and your level of empathy… first that you’re singing it to your mom, I mean, I can’t even. Just the empathy in your voice, you have this velvety voice and the planet I believe needs empathy now more than ever and you’re being this and you’re showing up here and showing the planet what it looks like to live and perform from empathy is such a huge gift,” Morissette shared.
Sheeran praised Tongi’s ability to connect with the audience.
“I just felt like you really connected with the song and that makes us as listeners connect with it. It was just really, really beautiful,” he said.
Bryan’s comments were short, simple, and to the point. “Great job man, you just always light the room up and it’s obvious when you do,” he said.
Earlier in the show, Tongi joined Oliver Steele for a performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph.”
“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.
See Their Duet
Iam Tongi ultimately earned a spot in the Top 5.
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.
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