DiscoverGet Real with Caroline HobbyIam Tongi: The American Idol Winner That Broke and Stole Everyone’s Heart
Iam Tongi: The American Idol Winner That Broke and Stole Everyone’s Heart

Iam Tongi: The American Idol Winner That Broke and Stole Everyone’s Heart

Update: 2025-06-16
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Iam Tongi is the Hawaiian kid who broke everyone on American Idol Season 23. He showed up heartbroken—his dad had just passed 3 months before. Music was always their thing. He almost quit completely. But his mom secretly signed him up for Idol anyway.

Then he sang “Monsters”… and the world felt it. That was the moment. He won Season 23, but losing his dad forced him to find his own voice, live, on television. When his guitar broke during Hollywood Week, he knew—this was his dad telling him he could do it on his own. 

Now? He just dropped “Unbreak My Heart,” plus “Sunshine” that he wrote for his mom, performed at the Opry, CMA Fest, even has a track in Lilo & Stitch, plus an album in the works… All while losing 110 pounds, still grieving, still growing—and singing from a place only he can. Iam Tongi is a true inspiration, lifting hearts around the world with his voice and story.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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2025-06-2609:17

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Iam Tongi: The American Idol Winner That Broke and Stole Everyone’s Heart

Iam Tongi: The American Idol Winner That Broke and Stole Everyone’s Heart

Nashville Podcast Network