American Idol fans read “manipulated” results after the finale aired Sunday night, where Tongan-Samoan contestant Iam Tongi was crowned the winner.
The 18-year-old high school student from Kahuku, Hawaii, defeated finalists Megan Danielle and Colin Stough, but fans of the show were divided on the result.
Many also took to social media to say they didn’t like the judges this year, which consisted of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.
Born in Hawaii but of Tongan and Samoan descent, Tongi was crowned the winner of the hit show’s 21st season after a nationwide vote during a three-hour star-studded finale on ABC.
He played Don’t Let Go by Spawnbreezie as his family in the audience waved their hands in the air.
Not happy: American Idol fans slammed ‘manipulated’ results after Sunday night’s broadcast of the finale, where Tongan-Samoan contestant Iam Tongi was crowned the winner
Response: Many also took to social media to say they didn’t like the judges this year, which consisted of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan
Tongi already has a number of connections in the music industry and was mentored by Keith Urban on the show.
Viewers were split on the result, with some saying Colin was the better singer, while others saying they were happy for Iam.
One of them said, “American Idol is rigged. Colin Stough was the best there was.’
A fourth simply slammed, “America is wrong.”
Fifth, host Ryan Seacrest tagged in, saying, “So Ryan, I thought #AmericanIdol was a singing contest?” Any reason the obviously better singer didn’t win? Curious…just ask. Thank you.’
Others were happy for Iam, as one wrote: “Congratulations to Iam Tongi, the winner of American Idol 2023!”
Another said, “Iam Tongi has made American Idol his show!”
Others weren’t happy with the judging this year, begging for a shakeup on the next series.
One wrote: “New judges please.”
Happy: The 18-year-old high school student from Kahuku, Hawaii, defeated finalists Megan Danielle and Colin Stough, but fans of the show were divided on the result
Tongi, who hails from Hawaii but is of Tongan and Samoan descent, claimed victory after beating runners-up Megan Danielle and Colin Stough in the final
Watching at home: Viewers were divided on the outcome with some saying Colin was the better singer
Positive response: Others said they were happy for Iam and took to Twitter to congratulate the star
Results: One said, “American Idol is manipulated. Colin Stough (pictured above) was the best there was’
Another added, “Of course I just found it so refreshing to have Alanis [Morissette] and Ed [Sheeran] on last week.
“I just feel like the 3 we have now have said everything they’re going to say…it’s getting repetitive.”
Another said, “Make Alanis a permanent judge. She exudes fun and gives honest, sensible feedback.’
“They never say anything critical like Simon. Always so positive that it’s not realistic,” said another.
A number of great artists also take the stage during the final, including Kylie Minogue, Pitbull, TLC, James Blunt and Clay Aiken.
Kylie took the stage with Nutsa and performed her new song Padam Padam from her upcoming album.
I met Keith and picked his hit Making Memories of Us because it was one of his parents’ favorite songs.
Iam said his parents would dance to the song in the kitchen and his father used to play Keith’s songs.
Iam took the stage playing his guitar and sang the song to the live studio audience.
When he finished, the audience chanted his name and the judges gave him a standing ovation.
“I don’t think it matters what I say,” Katy Perry said.
“You’re an incredible storyteller,” Lionel Richie said.
“And like Katy, I hate to say it, why am I sitting here tearing up a song I already know, but you have a great delivery.”
During the finale, he joined James Blunt on stage to sing the song Monsters after singing the song at his audition and dedicated it to his late father Rodney.
Iam started crying during the emotional performance and wiped the tears from his eyes.
Katy also held a tissue to her face to wipe away her tears.
“This is what Rodney dreamed of,” his mother Lillie said. “He wanted everyone to hear what I had, and I feel like he belongs here.”
Iam then sang his single I’ll Be Seeing You while playing guitar, before the vote closed and Ryan revealed he was the champion.
Earlier this month, before being crowned the winner of American Idol, Tongi received a custom guitar made by artist Sam Mangakahia that represents his passion for music and his Polynesian heritage.
‘The blue represents [Iam’s] connection with Polynesia, the ocean’, says Mangakahia KITV Island News.
And then the middle design represents the Samoan and Tongan heritage. And then the outer layer represents who he is and who he looks up to,” he added, referring to Tongi’s late father.
Fun: Earlier this month, before being crowned the winner of American Idol, Tongi received a custom guitar made by artist Sam Mangakahia that represents his passion for music and his Polynesian heritage
Change: Others weren’t happy with the judging this year, begging for a shake-up in the next series (Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie pictured)
Tongi has previously spoken about growing up in Hawaii, but said his family was forced to move to Washington’s Federal Way after being priced “out of paradise” and the local market after his father’s death.
‘We used to walk around, chasing wild chickens… You lost your slippers because you went to a family party and someone stole your slippers. So everyone walks around barefoot, or (wears) one slipper and another slipper,” he told the Kent Reporter about life in Hawaii.
He told the publication that he wants to return to Hawaii one day and write songs that help represent his heritage.
“It’s really cool to see all my friends and the polyps [Polynesians] to support me,” he said.