Pacific Islander Iam Tongi was crowned the winner of American Idol’s season 21 on Sunday, the first from the islands ever to win the title.
With over 17 million votes submitted to Idol by viewers choosing their favourite singer, the 18-year-old came up on top during the show’s grand finale.
Tongi, whose of Tongan and Samoan heritage was crowned a winner with an emotional, star-studded finale on Sunday he was among the three finalists.
An 18-year-old high school student from Kahuku, Hawaii, Tongi’s heartbreaking story of losing his father, Rodney, touched many in the audience during the season.
Tongi broke down during the finale while performing a duet of “Monsters” with singer James Blunt. The younger singer wiped away tears as he and Blunt sang, “I’m not your son, you’re not my father/ We’re just two grown men saying goodbye.”
Blunt was one of several stars, including Pitbull, Ellie Goulding, Lil Jon, Kylie Minogue, REO Speedwagon and TLC, who appeared on the three-hour finale.
Tongi won a recording contract as part of his “American Idol” prize package. He performed “Don’t Let Go” by Spawnbreezie after being declared the winner as the confetti fell and his fellow contestants flocked to congratulate him.
