Iam Tongi emerged as the winner of the latest season of American Idol, triumphing over fellow finalists Megan Danielle and Colin Stough. Tongi, 18, captivated the audience with a stunning rendition of his original song “I’ll Be Seeing You” during the nail-biting three-hour finale.
The star-studded night featured electrifying performances by renowned artists and collaborations with the Top 12 contestants. Pitbull and Lil Jon joined forces with the contestants for an energetic rendition of “Give Me Everything” and “Jumpin.” TLC and Lucy Love took the audience down memory lane with hits like “No Scrubs,” “Creep,” and “Waterfalls.” Watch Iam’s final winning performance below.
Other notable performances included Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon teaming up with Zachariah Smith for “Take It On the Run.” Jelly Roll wowed the crowd with his performances alongside Lainey Wilson and Oliver Steele. Kylie Minogue and Nutsa delivered a captivating performance of “Padam Padam” and “I Can’t Get You Out of My Head.”
The night showcased the talents of the Top 12 contestants alongside renowned artists. Lionel Richie took the stage with the contestants for a heartfelt rendition of “Sail On,” while Keith Urban unleashed his energy with “Wild Hearts.” James Blunt collaborated with Iam Tongi for a powerful performance of “Monsters,” and Ellie Goulding and Tyson Venegas mesmerized the audience with “Miracle” and “Burn.” Watch Iam’s beautiful performance of Sound Of Silence below.
In a touching moment, Lauren Daigle performed with finalist Megan Danielle, singing “These Are the Days” and “Thank God I Do.” Luke Bryan delighted the crowd with a solo performance of “But I Got a Beer in My Hand” and later teamed up with Colin Stough for a captivating rendition of “Slow Hand.” Jasmine Sullivan and Wé Ani delivered an electrifying performance of “Bust Your Windows,” while Lainey Wilson, Marybeth Byrd, and Warren Peay joined forces for “Heart Like a Truck.”
The night culminated with Iam Tongi being crowned the newest American Idol. Tongi started his American Idol journey with a performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters” which he dedicated to his late father. The judges were deeply touched by his performance and commended his talent and emotional depth. Watch Iam’s heartwarming audition in the video below.
As host Ryan Seacrest declared Tongi the winner, he celebrated the moment with a heartfelt rendition of “Don’t Let Go.” The judges, Tongi’s family, and the audience joined in the celebration, marking a memorable victory for the talented young artist.
With his triumph on American Idol, Iam Tongi’s journey as the newest American Idol has just begun, and fans eagerly await his future musical endeavors.