He solidified himself as the pride of Hawaii after being crowned American Idol this year.
Iam Tongi – an 18-year-old high school student from Kahuku, Oahu – defeated fellow teens Colin Stough and Megan Danielle to become the winner of the ABC singing contest.
In the weeks leading up to Sunday’s final, the teen and his supporters have been able to rally fans across the islands and across the US to take his popularity to new heights.
Even Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged fans to vote for Tongi, whose powerful voice and tragic backstory won the hearts of viewers everywhere.
Iam Tongi cemented his status as the pride of Hawaii when he won American Idol this year
Iam Tongi, an 18-year-old high school senior from Kahuku, Hawaii, defeated fellow teens Colin Stough and Megan Danielle (pictured with Tongi)
Tongi’s father Rodney passed away just months before the teen’s American Idol audition.
After Rodney’s passing, Tongi, who grew up in Hawaii, and his family were forced to move to Washington’s Federal Way after being “priced out of paradise.”
When named in the top three, Tongi received a hero’s reception with a parade and 3,000 people gathered at Turtle Bay Resort to hear him sing live with shuttle buses taking people to the concert. KHON2 reported at the time.
On his return home, the 18-year-old’s former school, Kahuku High School, gave him an honorary diploma, according to Kauai Now.
On TikTok, the hashtag Iam Tongi has been viewed nearly 300 million times.
And in his weekly social media update just days before the American Idol finale, Hawaii’s governor reminded people to vote for Tongi.
‘Iam Tongi lights up the world and makes us proud. Beautiful, sincere voice, soulful,” Green said.
“Vote for Iam Tongi. He’s our next American Idol.’
Even Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged fans to vote for Tongi, whose powerful voice and tragic backstory won the hearts of viewers everywhere.
Green is pictured here with Tongi on his recent visit to his hometown
One of the signs in support of Tongi shown in a local business’s TikTok video
In the weeks leading up to Sunday’s final, the teen and his supporters have been able to rally fans across the islands and across the US to help him achieve stardom status.
Roadside signs and supporters for the 18-year-old were seen in force in the clip
Waikiki Trolley, a Honolulu company, shared a TikTok video that gave a glimpse of the kind of support Tongi had in Hawaii.
Roadside signs and supporters for the 18-year-old, who is of Tongan and Samoan descent, were seen in force in the clip.
And their efforts paid off.
For the first time in American Idol’s 20-year history, a Hawaiian was named the winner, prompting fans to flood social media to celebrate the milestone.
‘Congratulations, I’m!! You were amazing tonight and deserve all of this! So glad I was in the studio to cheer you on and celebrate this moment! Keep making Hawaii proud! All my love and aloha,” one person wrote on Instagram.
Another added, “The fact that you continued to represent your father, family, culture and the people of the Pacific from the start of the audition to the final shows how much you love who you are!” The people of the Pacific have had your back since day 1 and will continue to have your back on this journey as well! Yessahh.’
And for the first time in American Idol’s more than 20-year history, a Hawaiian was named the winner, prompting fans to flood social media to celebrate the milestone
“All of Hawai’i, Polynesia and the world celebrates you,” a third commented, adding, “Your father smiles down at you! Only the beginning of greater blessings that await you.’
‘Iam Tongi brought the entire Polynesian community together. I tell you, we are stronger TOGETHER,” one Twitter user wrote after the results were announced.
“The islands celebrate your victory tonight. I am! Congratulations! Well deserved. Your father is smiling down from heaven and is so proud of you,’ someone else said.
Others said Tongi’s presence made them and their loved ones watch the show.
“Iam is just… very special. He motivated my 19-year-old son, who is far from the typical viewing demographic of this show, to pull out his phone and vote tonight. Even my oldest son, who is a music student and does nothing but critique each contestant’s technique as he walks across the room, agreed that FINALLY the correct contestant won. I am, you deserve the world!!’ said one redditor.
Others said Tongi’s presence kept them and their loved ones watching the show, while some were happy to see another country singer not prevail.
“I’ve never voted for an idol before, but you inspired me to believe in someone else’s dream…if I could get one more day with my dad…Congratulations!!! Hawaii here he comes!!!!’ read another Instagram comment.
Some American Idol fans were also happy to see that this year’s winner wasn’t another country singer.
It seems some Country fans are upset that one of the two Country finalists didn’t win this year. I say “THIS” year because Country has won for the past 3 years. Iam is a refreshing change from all the screeching and nagging! GOD SAY YOU, I AM!’ one person said.
One Twitter user simply wrote, “So glad he beat the country singers.”
One comment on reddit read: “Landidol was no match!!! Congratulations, I am!!’