‘American Idol’ Winner Iam Tongi Loves To ‘Fake’ Accusations

TV

By Evan Real

May 25, 2023 | 6:33 p.m.

‘American Idol’ winner Iam Tongi says he loves the “drama” of the “trick” accusations surrounding his Season 21 win.

“A lot of people are like, ‘(Runner-up) Colin Stough was robbed,’ or whatever. And I love it,” he told the Daily Mail in an interview published on Thursday.

The 18-year-old singer went on to say that his late father, Rodney Tongi – who died in 2021 – prepared him for any public scrutiny if his music took off.

“My dad always told me your music wasn’t for everyone. There will be people who won’t like it and that’s fine, it’s normal, ”he explained.

“Everyone has their own opinion. Everyone thinks what they think. So, it’s OK.

I say he often showers his enemies with kindness as a coping mechanism.

“I just like (the comments), whatever they say, because you know, (I have to) let those things happen,” he shared.

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“I am guilty of loving her. But listen, (my) music is not for everyone. And I have to learn this the hard way.

On Sunday, Iam – who is of Tongan and Samoan descent – became the first Hawaiian to win “American Idol” since the contest’s reality TV launch in the summer of 2002.

A high proportion of viewers claimed the entire contest was “rigged” in the high schooler’s favor and that his victory was due to a “sympathy vote”.

I told judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan that he lost his father a few months before his audition to stage 4 kidney disease. He used his father’s guitar in every performance until until it breaks mid-season.

An online reviewer tweeted that while I’m “had the best sobbing story,” the competition should have been centered on talent.

Another polarizing aspect of “American Idol” Season 21 was Perry’s performance as a judge. While many viewers felt his criticism was harsh, Iam told the Daily Mail he enjoyed his interactions with the pop superstar.

“(All the judges) are so much fun and we had a lot of fun with them while I was on ‘Idol,'” he said, adding that he thought Perry, 38, should stay put. .

“The support (Katy) gives and the love (she) gives to the contestants would be missed. I would miss Katy (if she left).

The “Firework” singer would like to step down as a judge on “Idol” because she feels misrepresented by the show.

According to the Daily Mail, Perry believes she was repeatedly “thrown under the bus by producers” who she says set up the show to make her look like the “evil judge.”