“American Idol” winner Iam Tongi reflects on “Sunshine” and “Lilo & Stitch”

Singer and songwriter Iam Tongi grew up in Kahuku but moved to the Mainland after his family was priced out of paradise. In 2023, he competed in Season 21 of “American Idol,” and won. Now, he is writing music inspired by family — and his island roots.

Today, Tongi has more than 2.6 million monthly listens on Spotify. His version of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” with Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus is part of the soundtrack for Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch.” In June, he reached the milestone of more than 100 million streams across all platforms.

Recently, Tongi had his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, country music’s biggest stage on June 12. It was also his first public performance of his new song, “Unbreak My Heart.”

“That was insane,” he told Aloha State Daily. “I didn't think anything of it at the time, but they were standing and clapping. I’d never been to Grand Ole Opry, and I thought they did that for everyone. And then they were like: ʻThat's rare for a standing ovation.’”

Tongi also released the new song  “Sunshine” on April 25 on Spotify. It is inspired by his mother.

“Sunshine is such a good vibe,” he said.

Tongi wanted to remind listeners who are feeling down that everything is going to be OK, like “Three Little Birds,” he said, referencing a Bob Marley song, before breaking into lyrics from his own music.

“My mama always told me, ʻSon, let the warmth of your soul and your sweet smile lead the way. Never walk in the shade,’” he sang.

A career in music was a dream that almost didn’t happen. After his father, Rodney Tongi, died in 2021 Tongi stopped playing music. When his mother asked him why he had stopped, he explained he heard his father harmonizing with him when he played.

“And then my mom said, ʻIsn't that a good thing, though?’” he said. “ʻDoesn't that sound like a good thing ʻcause you can still hear him, even though he's not with us right now?’”

Shortly after that, Tongi started playing again. His mother told him he had an audition with “American Idol” in two days.

His performance of “Monsters,” by James Blunt, which he dedicated to his late father, had the judges in tears.

“American Idol” gave him confidence, he said.

“I went into Idol like, ʻMan, I’m just not as good as everyone else here,’” he told ASD. “Just going in there and actually singing what is true to me, and people really receiving that in a good way, in a way that I wanted them to receive it, it was mind blowing. Getting confidence from that helped me to be a better singer.”

Now, when Tongi visits family on Oʻahu, people come up at the grocery store and 7-Eleven and ask: “Eh, so you get one show, here?” he said.

“I feel like everyone knew how to play an instrument and sing,” he said about Kahuku. “Everybody.”

Tongi learned to play music as a kid. In fifth grade, his teacher taught the entire class to play ‘ukulele. The first song he learned was “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” followed by “Maui: Hawaiian Sup’pa Man.” Tongi taught his friends to play music. Together, they learned reggae and Island songs.

“It was a lot of fun,” Tongi said. “It was my way to escape from struggles in life and struggles in growing up in Hawaiʻi. ... I feel like my dad — he saw that I really loved it — and he pushed me.”

Tongi also credits his community for encouraging his love of music. As a teenager, he was often asked to come over and sing songs or play at graduation parties.

When asked what he wanted to tell readers, Tongi paused, then shared advice his auntie had just given him.

“Every once an a while, just stop and take a breath,” he said. “And that's been on my mind for a little bit now. Just stop and take a breath, so that's what I want to tell people.”

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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.