William “Iam” Tongi, born September 1, 2004, is an American singer who won season 21 of American Idol. He is the first Hawaii-born Pacific Islander to win the competition.[1]
Iam captured the hearts of the world when he auditioned in front of the American Idol judges and performed a cover of the James Blunt song, “Monsters.” The song tells the story of a son saying goodbye to his father for the last time before he dies.
Iam’s father, Rodney, passed away due to liver failure. Rodney was Iam’s biggest inspiration for pursuing music and they would often sing together on Iam Tongi’s YouTube channel.
Tongi released a song while still part of the American Idol competition called, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” that talks about seeing his father in every day life as things remind him of his father.
Iam is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has sung numerous religious songs on his YouTube channel, including this cover of Amazing Grace that he recorded in front of Oakland California temple.
