Current:Home > MySurpassing Quant Think Tank Center|American Idol Singer Iam Tongi Reacts to "Crazy" Season 21 Win -Streamline Finance
Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center|American Idol Singer Iam Tongi Reacts to "Crazy" Season 21 Win
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 20:40:57
A new American Idol has been crowned.
After Iam Tongi was declared the winner of season 21,Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center the singer expressed his excitement over securing the title.
"It's crazy," he exclusively told E! News after his victory (see more of his interview on tonight's episode of E! News). "It feels so weird to talk about, to say it out loud, but it's crazy.
Iam entered the finale alongside Megan Danielle, who came in second, and Colin Stough, who finished third. During the episode, the contestant from Kahuku, Hawaii, sang a variety of hits, including Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us," Kolohe Kai's "Cool Down," and an emotional duet of "Monsters" with James Blunt in which Iam paid tribute to his late father Rodney.
"He grabbed my arm, that made me cry even more," the 18-year-old noted about James. "No, I love James Blunt. I'm so glad he came out and sang. His voice is so insane. It sounds like heartbreak when he sings, you know what I mean? And that's what I love about his voice, and he's such a nice guy. So for him to come out and sing with me is amazing."
Iam also performed his own single "I'll Be Seeing You" in honor of his dad. And after host Ryan Seacrest revealed the results, the high school student sang Spawnbreezie's "Don't Let Go" as confetti fell and his fellow contestants joined him on the stage to celebrate.
As for how Iam planned to celebrate after the show? "Go out and hang out with my family," he said. "That's all I want to do."
Win or lose, judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are proud of all the finalists.
"It's been emotional like a good therapy session," the "Roar" artist told E!. "Just to see these kids, young people—younger than me—just grow and get what they came for. Even if they didn't win, they got what they came for. There's something that was sparked in them that can never be put back or be not believed in."
And Lionel offered Iam some advice on this new chapter.
"He's gonna be on a journey now. He's gotta rock it," the "Stuck on You" star added. "Remember now, winning no. 1 is one thing. Maintaining no. 1 is called the hard work. He's got a great family support. The village raised him. So, he's got the support. Right now, he needs to think how do I get, first of all, across America and then around the world one song at a time?"
For now, Iam is enjoying his win and expressing his gratitude to everyone who voted for him.
"Thank you everyone for voting!" he wrote on Instagram. "Love all you guys! Thank you so much, yessah blessa never stressa! #idol #idolwinner."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (45)
Related
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Dallas mayor switches parties, making the city the nation’s largest with a GOP mayor
- Amazon Prime Video will soon come with ads, or a $2.99 monthly charge to dodge them
- Youngstown City Council Unanimously Votes Against an ‘Untested and Dangerous’ Tire Pyrolysis Plant
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Candace Cameron Bure’s Daughter Natasha Says She’s in “Most Unproblematic” Era of Her Life
- Sabato De Sarno makes much anticipated debut at Gucci under the gaze of stars like Julia Roberts
- Gun violence is the ultimate ‘superstorm,’ President Biden says as he announces new federal effort
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- Biden deal with tribes promises $200M for Columbia River salmon reintroduction
Ranking
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- The Amazing Race of Storytelling: Search for story leads to man believed to be Savannah's last shoe shiner
- Sabato De Sarno makes much anticipated debut at Gucci under the gaze of stars like Julia Roberts
- More than 35,000 register to vote after Taylor Swift's Instagram post: 'Raise your voices'
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- UAW's Fain announces expanded strike, targets 38 GM, Stellantis distribution plants
- Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir free a key Muslim cleric after years of house arrest
- Convicted sex offender back in custody after walking away from a St. Louis hospital
Recommendation
Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
Judge overseeing case to remove Trump from ballot agrees to order banning threats and intimidation
US pledges $100M to back proposed Kenyan-led multinational force to Haiti
How The Young and the Restless Honored Late Actor Billy Miller Days After His Death
A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
Zelenskyy to speak before Canadian Parliament in his campaign to shore up support for Ukraine
Biden deal with tribes promises $200M for Columbia River salmon reintroduction
Chicago man gets life in prison for role in 2016 home invasion that killed 5 people