Iam Tongi performs in Seattle on July 10, 2023.Photo:Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty
Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty
Just a few months afterwinning season 21 ofAmerican Idol, it’s understandable thatIam Tongifeels nervous performing for large crowds.
“First try at singing the National Anthem. So nervous that it was in front of such a huge crowd. And apologize for being so nervous and forgot to take off the hat,” the 18-year-old singer wrote in the description of the performance videoon YouTube.
Tongi further detailed the misstep in a tweet posted on Tuesday. “Tens of thousands of people. I walk out and my uncle reminds me to remove my hat before I start singing. I remember. A few seconds later the nerves took in and didn’t remember until it was all done. I will try to do better next time,” he wrote.
YouTube
In May, Tongi wonAmerican Idolandspoke to PEOPLEabout how he planned to celebrate, joking that he was going to have “a couple drinks.”
“No, I’m just kidding,” he said at the time. “What I’m gonna do when I celebrate is I’m gonna go home and just spend time with my family.”
Iam Tongi winning American Idol.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
“It’s crazy, all my Polynesian people out there just… they’re always supporting, and when they come, they show out,” he said. “They just cheer for everyone. Honestly, they cheer for everyone. They don’t only cheer for me. My brother voted for Zachariah [Smith]!”
Tongi was up against contestants Megan Danielle — who ended up being the runner-up — and Colin Stough. And though they all had their eye on the prize this season, Tongi developed a friendship with each of them.
“Honestly, if it wasn’t for these guys and all my family and our friends, I would… I don’t know if I would stay humble because these guys taught me every day that I’m useless — I’m just kidding,” he said with a laugh. “Honestly, we laugh a lot.”
source: people.com
