Iam Tongi, the 18-year-old from Kahuku, Hawaii of Tonga, Samoan and Irish descent, will be in the finals of American Idol next Sunday.
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One of the songs he sang last night was “Father and Son,” by Cat Stevens, a dedication to his mother.
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There was screaming and shouting at a watch party on the north shore of Oahu when Tongi’s name was announced.
“Oh my gosh, I couldn’t hold my tears! We were all yelling. We were having a moment of proudness. We are so proud of our boy,” said Tongi’s aunty Cassandra Tongi Kaumavae.
Tongi’s father Rodney has passed away but his family says, he always told Tongi he would be on American Idol.
“I’m very proud of him. I hope he’s proud up there because we’re so proud of him trying to push Iam to make his dream come true. And not only that but it’s for his future,” said Kaumavae.
There will be a homecoming for Tongi tomorrow in Hawaii. He will fly home for a live concert at Turtle Bay.
A convoy will kick off in Laie and end at the resort where Tongi will have a live performance. Then he heads back to the mainland to compete with two other finalists for the title of American Idol 2023.
