American Idol winner Iam Tongi has finally given his true opinion on the sensational scam scandal that cast a dark shadow over his victory – as he addresses the furious controversy surrounding judge Katy Perry.
When Hawaiian-born Iam, 18, was crowned the winner of American Idol earlier this week, his victory divided the nation.
Some viewers felt the teen deserved the title, but others felt that runner-up Colin Stough should have won instead – accusing the show of “manipulating” the results in Iam’s favor.
Now the aspiring musician has responded to allegations that he was chosen for sympathy rather than talent, explaining exclusively to DailyMail.com that he doesn’t mind the negative attention – even insisting that he “loves it” is’.
American Idol winner Iam Tongi, 18, has revealed to DailyMail.com what he really thinks about his bitter fraud scandal – exposing his true feelings about controversial judge Katy Perry
When Hawaiian-born Iam was crowned winner of American Idol earlier this week, his victory divided the nation
Some viewers felt the teen deserved the title, but others thought runner-up Colin Stough (left) should have won instead – accusing the show of ‘manipulating’ the results
“A lot of people say, ‘Colin Stough got robbed,’ or whatever. And I just love it,” he said.
The 18-year-old explained that his father, Rodney Tongi – who passed away in 2021 – helped prepare him for the bitter backlash he could endure if he ever found himself in the spotlight.
Now the aspiring musician has responded to allegations that he was chosen for sympathy rather than talent, explaining exclusively to DailyMail.com that he doesn’t mind the negative attention – in fact, he insisted that he “loves it” is up’
“My dad always told me that your music isn’t for everyone. There will be people who won’t like it and that’s okay, that’s normal,” he continued.
‘Everyone gets their own opinion. Everyone can think what he thinks. So it’s good.’
He said his method of dealing with haters online is to kindly kill them, so he tends to put a “like” on some hateful posts.
‘I just love [them]no matter what they say, because you know, [I gotta] let those things happen,’ he suggested.
“I am guilty because I like it. But look, [my] music is not for everyone. And I have to learn that the hard way.’
Iam, who is of Tongan and Samoan descent, made history when he won the 21st season of American Idol on Sunday, becoming the first person from Hawaii to take first place.
“A lot of people say, ‘Colin Stough got robbed,’ or whatever. And I just love it,” he said
The 18-year-old explained that his father, Rodney Tongi – who passed away in 2021 – helped prepare him for the bitter backlash he could endure if he ever found himself in the spotlight.
Afterwards, however, Twitter was flooded with tweets from angry viewers who felt that Colin, also 18, deserved the win more.
One person wrote that I only won because he “had the best sob story,” while others said Colin was a “better singer.”
I stressed to DailyMail.com that there was no grudge between him and Colin, and that he is “happy” that so many people support the runner-up.
‘I love Colin man, he’s such a nice guy. I’m going to see him again, we’re going to jam and have fun again,” he gushed.
‘But yes… it makes me happy to see that people like other styles of music as much as I do.
“They love Colin so much [that they say], “He should have won.” And that makes me happy, to be honest.’
He added that he has no plans to go after people who don’t support him, but will focus on those who do.
‘I love [my] community coming out and supporting me and showing up [for me]and I’m not really going to chase after fans,” he explained.
“I’m going to be myself and do what I love and just have fun doing it and see what happens, happens.”
Following his win, Twitter was flooded with tweets from angry viewers who felt Colin, also 18, deserved the win more
He added that he has no plans to go after people who don’t support him, but will focus on those who do.
I also shared what it was like being judged by Katy, who is reportedly ready to leave the show after dealing with her own negative comments on social media.
Sources told DailyMail.com earlier this week that the singer, 38, feels she has been ‘thrown under the bus by producers’, who she says purposefully edited her to look ‘filthy’
I also shared what it was like being judged by Katy, who is reportedly ready to leave the show after dealing with her own string of negative comments on social media over some insensitive statements she made about the contestants on the show done.
When asked how the singing competition would be affected if Katy left the show, Iam said, “The support [Katy] gives and love [she] indicates the participants would be missed’
Sources told the DailyMail.com earlier this week that the singer, 38 – who has been a judge on American Idol for six years – feels she has been ‘thrown under the bus by producers’, who she says have deliberately edited her to look’ look nasty. ‘
When asked how the singing competition would be affected if Katy left the show, Iam said: ‘[All the judges] are so much fun and we had a lot of fun with them while I was on Idol.
‘The support [Katy] gives and love [she] indicates participants would be missed. I would miss Katy [if she left].’
I called his win “unreal” and “crazy,” while admitting it “hadn’t really hit him yet.”
As for the future for him, he said he’s excited to start recording his first album, which will have a “Jack Johnson-esque vibe.”
“I’m working on a lot of new things and I’m excited to share this with people,” he concluded.