(May 21, 2023) Iam Tongi was voted the winner of Season 6 of “American Idol”!
Here are his performances from the season finale. This was emotional from the get…James Blunt – who wrote and sang “Monsters” about his own personal perspective when his father was ill – was on hand to sing with Iam Tongi…:
Sweet that Iam Tongi’s Mom (Lillie Tongi) had the chance to meet Keith Urban and confirm their family has lots of memories tied into much of (Keith Urban’s) music; wow! Iam Tongi sang Hawai’i’s own Kolohe Kai’s “Cool Down” for the broadcast! [*edited August 2024: videos previously posted are no longer available for viewing]
(May 21, 2023) Iam Tongi’s – @wtongi across all social media – final performances for “American Idol”‘s Season 6 will have live voting during the show. Watch live at 2 p.m. Hawaii, it’ll air on KITV4 and stream on Hulu Plus (subscription).
To vote online: IdolVote.abc.com
To vote by text: watch the official show for instructions
To vote on app: visit the App Store and Google Play.
(May 18, 2023) YouTube channel laul344 shared Iam Tongi’s visit to and with his classmates at Kahuku High and Intermediate School. Had he and his family continued to live in Kahuku instead of moving to Federal Way, Washington, he too would be walking with the Class of 2023 🙂
See the campus reaction and his as well…all the emotions!
(May 17, 2023) KITV4 shared one of their camera feeds live on their YouTube channel yesterday. Props to news anchor-reporter Mika Miyashima and her crew for all the behind-the-scenes’ness! I cued to the beginning of Iam Tongi’s performance with amazing battery life on this camera! IYKYK!
Jack Johnson, John Cruz, Paula Fuga, Common Kings, Kawika Kahiapo, Kimie Miner and other talents joined Iam Tongi on stage for the “Homecoming Concert” at Turtle Bay Stables lawn. He also welcomed his family to the stage.
While this is for additional “American Idol” coverage when Iam Tongi returns to California for his finale performances, it’s wonderful to see and feel how the show keeps him safe, protecting him from too many distractions. Strength in his Mom and family balancing all this, too.
Iam Tongi, the high school senior who was voted into the Top 3 of “American Idol” on Sunday (May 14, 2023), will take part in a “Homecoming Parade” in his and his family’s honor today (Tuesday, May 16, 2023) in Kahuku.
If you are in the area, HPD will provide some traffic assistance and it feels like a big wave surf contest times a hundred! Have fun, expect delays and grid lock for Iam Tongi 🙂 Blankets and signs are okay. NO alcohol, chairs, or outside food. Scroll down for more:
Scheduled timeline:
*3:30 p.m. – Kawela Gate opens for parking at the Stables at Turtle Bay (limited to 3000 vehicles).
4 p.m. – A parade-convoy will be lead from Polynesian Cultural Center featuring Iam Tongi and the Seniors of KHIS and end at the area of the Stables at Turtle Bay Stables for a free concert
5:15 p.m. – Free “Iam Tongi Homecoming Concert” at the Stables at Turtle Bay. Announced to appear/perform: Jack Johnson, Paula Fuga, John Cruz, Kawika Kahiapo, Common Kings and others.
*Free shuttle service offered at BYUH Campus, Hauula Shopping Center and the area across from Kahuku High and Intermediate School; other areas for North Shore residents include Haleiwa and Sunset Beach.
\m/ for above details and further coverage via: (KITV4)(KHON2)(HAWAII NEWS NOW)
(May 14, 2023) Iam Tongi advanced to “American Idol”‘s Top 3, thanks to your votes! Wow! The Top 3 will each have their own “Homecoming”-episodes with Iam scheduled to appear at Turtle Bay Stables on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.)
(below: The Haku Collective released a song to remind you to vote for Iam Tongi! Updating Israel Kamakawiwo’le’s version of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, these amazing artists and entertainers lent their talents to support his efforts…)
(May 8, 2023) Iam Tongi was voted into the Top 5 for “American Idol”! Remember to support your favorite finalist(s) by voting when the live broadcast is on, wherever you may be watching around the world 🙂
(May 1, 2023) Iam Tongi continues on into the Top 8! Your votes making it happen! It’s awesome that Honolulu’s ABC affiliate KITV4 is airing “American Idol” LIVE at 2 p.m. Hawaii \m/ Set your reminder, your alert, your calendar to support your favorite(s).
(April 25, 2023 – Iam Tongi was voted in to the Top 12! Scroll down and enjoy his past “American Idol” performances [in order of appearance] and for Voting Information HERE)
(February 22, 2023) Thank you, Iam Tongi and his wide circle of supporters! His “American Idol” audition performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters” has struck a chord for those even outside of the talent competition audience. I had a chance to talk story with the 18 year old about musical inspirations, the importance of family and “Mike’s Huli Huli Chicken” 🙂
(above) When you visit the YouTube page below, I created index tabs to jump around our conversation. Also, our conversation opens with his easy greeting that put us both at ease!
*The videos listed below are in order of appearance or performance by Iam Tongi from the official “American Idol” YouTube channel
(below) Iam Tongi says living in Washington State is not at all like living in Hawaii, with “American Idol” judges agreeing with laughter. His appearance on Season 21’s “Auditions Week” has renewed interest and gained new fans of James Blunt’s 2019 song, “Monsters”.
(below) The following “American Idol ” performances are in order of Iam Tongi’s appearances in Season 6 (with current judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry) / Season 21 (references to original show run when Kelly Clarkson was the first winner of the U.S. reality competition show). [*August 2024: many of Iam’s AI performances are currently not available for viewing]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYP2Rxbkn10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu-CCZNmzVs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMaLRmrkwUM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0bX_pM2e8M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0N_CaV_wZ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDqGvKwd0YM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYfTsLvB3kg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwnFGlRXsuM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2ChrEhV260
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLce2M6OtVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pw1NfXADqI
