Let me begin this little American Idol rant by answering the question I posed in my headline: No, it’s not too soon.
What’s that, you say? “But there are still eight singers left in the competition”? You’re not wrong… but neither am I.
This may be one of the most talented group of Idol finalists in recent memory, but there’s always been something special about Iam Tongi. From the moment he was introduced two months ago (with an audition that has since been watched online by more than 15 million people), we’ve remained under the unassuming 18-year-old’s breezy island spell. And by “we,” I mean me, the judges, the voters — pretty much everybody with two ears and a heart.
If TVLine’s weekly polls are any indication, we might as well drop the confetti on Tongi right now. The charming guitarist regularly tops our polls, typically followed closely by Wé Ani — and that’s a final two I can absolutely get behind. (It should be noted that Megan Danielle and Zachariah Smith are also nipping at their heels.)
Still, I can’t help but envision Tongi standing alone in the spotlight on May 21 when Ryan Seacrest finally reveals the winner of American Idol Season 21.
Scroll down to relive Tongi’s best performances thus far, then cast your vote in the poll below. Do you think Tongi is destined to be named the next American Idol?
This James Blunt jam was the perfect introduction to Tongi’s unique style and authentic artistry. Armed with his late father’s guitar, the Hawaiian crooner sang his way right into our hearts, where he has remained ever since.
Tongi was visibly fighting back tears during his performance of this emotional Bonnie Raitt ballad, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have me cutting onions too.
Bad news: This was not the En Vogue cover I was expecting. Good news: It was even better! Tongi’s voice fit this Spawnbreezie song perfectly, and getting to watch him perform it on stage in his home state of Hawaii was really special.
I’m sorry, Simon and who? Tongi made this folk-rock classic his own, blessing it with his signature sound and churning out a version even more chilling than the original.
I said it two weeks ago, and I’ll say it again: Tongi did more justice to this ABBA ballad than Meryl Streep did in Mamma Mia!, and out-Streeping the GOAT is no easy feat.
Not only did Lionel Richie give Tongi his seal of approval for this cover of his 1983 hit, but as you’ll see towards the beginning of the video above, Tongi also received the blessing of the infamous, iconic Idol fly.
Tongi’s latest performance was also one of his finest, a gorgeous take on Louis Armstrong’s timeless ode to life itself. Tongi’s voice is pure magic, so pairing it with an equally magical song only enhanced the unforgettable experience.
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My personal ranking based on how I like them
1. Zachariah
2. We Ani
3. Colin
4. Ian
5. Oliver
6. Warren
7. Haven
8. Meagan.
A lot of the people I liked went home earlier like Paige and Olivia. Ian feels like Willie to me they sing well but I don’t really care for it. I know
People love Meagan but I don’t get it at all
*Iam
Dang auto correct
We All Know That We Ani Is A Good Singer. She Wouldn’t Win Because They Know That She Has A Great Career A Head Of Herself. We Ani Is The Best Singer Of This Year. They Would Give It To Someone Else Who Don’t Know How To Sing Before They Give It To Someone That Could. That’s Not Right At All. We Ani Is Going To Be Okay. 🥰❤️👍🥰👏😊🥰👍
I picked Top 2 We’ and Iam from beginning of Hollywood. Zachariah is not an AI star . He’s more of a Taylor Hicks type. Taylor won but he’s a nobody.
I like hearing his sooth voice and its straight from the heart also how he lovea his supporters and his team. Aleays humble God bless you for the talent that you have to share and inspire others not to be afraid to face their dreams.
Absolutely I love Ian he does remind me of Willie I love to Willie also rest in peace ❤️💯🙏
Hoping for a We Ani win. She’s the most polished and the best vocalist of the bunch by a wide margin.
The show just wants to give it to Iam for some reason. Not saying he isn’t great, but the judges are overreacting to every performance.
Absolutely agree!! Don’t know why the judges are pushing him to win so much. Don’t think he’s very marketable. Nice guy, though.
How many hearts has he pierced with tears?
That’s a big part of this market.
Agreed..Iam sings from the heart and is very genuine..and that’s what singing is all about..not just 15 minutes of fame,when he sings he sees his father not money,that’s why he keeps his eyes closed,he sees and sings to dad…great young man #TeamIamTongi
I would guess that he’s far more marketable, at least in the short term, than We Ani. I do think that We Ani has a great voice but it isn’t one that I haven’t hear before. She sounds very similar to others in a market saturated with power-house female vocalists so marketing her as somehow unique or different than the rest of the pack would probably be a futile exercise in trying to make a distinction without a difference. Iam, on the other hand, may not have the voice or polish that We Ani has but he has a more unique voice, a schtick, a great backstory and less competition. It would be far easier to market him than We Ani.
I agree
He is more in demand being unique
World could use alot of iam
wronggggggggggg
IMO Iam is unquestionably the best singer. That being said, I can’t see him holding up to the rigors of touring or drawing in concert goers. And, with apologies, he has a face for radio, he is not marketable.
He seems like a really nice guy, but I’m sorry, I don’t think he deserves to win. People who complain about the “white guy with a guitar” winning, well, this is another guy with a guitar. He’s talented & has a nice voice, but he hasn’t wowed me. I think it’s his story that has connected with everyone. If you’re talking about superstar talent, We Ani should definitely win!! Or Kaeyra who is unfortunately no longer on the show…which baffles me!!
I guess you like crazy runs. We’ Ani has been on other Talent shows (The Voice) and she is a performer from New York.
I have listened to all kinds of music in my life and I thoroughly enjoy Iam’s songs and his Angelic voice.
I’m done with crazy runs belting screaming music.
I do enjoy Megan Danielle’s style as well as Oliver Steele and Colin Strough.
This is not The Voice. This guy would go unnoticed playing in a bar. No star power. He can play the guitar and belt. Is he the next Bruno Mars? No.
I knew he would be the favorite among the judges when he cried like a baby during his audition. We Ani should win, she has the most talent.
You have to be kidding!
My top 5 is
We’ Ani
Megan Danielle
Haven Madison
Oliver Steele
Zechariah Smith
My top 3 is
Haven Madison
Megan Danielle
We’ Ani
My winner is between Megan Danielle or Haven Madison
Your top two is my bottom 2 lol
I don’t get the Colin Stough appeal. The Bible Belt always votes in waves for Idol, which is why White Guy With Guitar is a thing.
I think Haven, Megan or We should win
Completely agree!
i agree as well. Who keeps voting this boring guy in? If he wins this season over all of the other crazy good talented singers then i am done with Idol.
i enjoy him! and his rendition of Dancing On My Own was truly fantastic.
Bless your heart.
If the last several years are any indication, Colin Stough will win and there’s nothing we can do. That said if another country artist takes it I would hope for Megan Danielle. That said, hope you’re right, I’d be happy to see Iam break the country curse.
Yeah I just don’t get the appeal of Colin. But have to agree, based on previous years he will probably win. Hope I’m wrong.
Many talented performers this season, but Iam is my hands-down favorite because he has a knack for song selection and executes them with ease.
Iam has the story, the smile and the personality to win it easily. too bad for Wei,m because she is clearly the most talented artist. And it’s not even close.
But I support Ian because cause there is more to being an Idol winner than just talent.
He is a star .people can feel how he connects to the songs and he touch your heart ♥ and soul with his voice
1,000,000 likes
Iam Tongi our winner he sings straight from the heart beautiful soul different to the other contestant you can feel it when he sings
Tena koe e kare
100% heart
They all are singing from the heart. He cries more than anyone. Sorry, not super star quality. Can’t market him. How much do you think someone would pay to see him in concert.
Iam is not about the money. Iam is connecting to everyone’s heart and soul. Today is about the person and his tools – his voice coincide with his personality and his story is our story and our daily struggle with reality. Iam is still a pure soul, and when he sings he is in touch with his inner being and that is why he is joining the journey of all people from all different walk of life. He sings with invisible power of love and healing.
Iam has a unique voice. His voice is one that everyone would recognize immediately. That makes him special. Among his amazing voice, story, humbleness, he just connects to people’s hearts. He doesn’t even have to open his eyes. It’s the uniqueness of his voice that will take him to the top.
We have two tiers of the INCREDIBLE set of contrestants this season. I’ve been upset since mid-audition because there is no way I won’t be disappointed/upset every single week because they are all so good:
1) The pros (they didn’t need Idol, now need it even less): We, Iam, Nutsa.
2) The others of the top 12: all so good in their own right to choose.
After seeing Haven improve so dramatically and with her top notch songwriting skills, she probably should be in the top list.
So who would I pick? I can’t. I think We is the new Whitney. Iam needs to take care of himself and record as much as he can, as soon as he can. Ad Nutsa is all set, especially if she starts in Eastern Europe or with Eurovision. I dislike country, so I’ll probably not buy Colin or Meagan, but both are excellent. I hope we hear from the rest.
I think We’ Ani’s cartoonish speaking voice, resembling those in the Haribo ads, will hold her back. Even in a concert, the performer speaks to the audience, which in her case dispels sex appeal.
Top 3 best:
1. Warren Peay
2. Megan Danielle
3. Haven Madison
We Ani (Winner)
Iam
Megan Danelle
We ani hands down the winner, she is magical! Iam tongi is second and the rest don’t matter. We ani is an angel.
I am in love with Tongi. The minute he starts to sing I can feel it. I want to cry.. it’s beautiful. I hope he wins
I LOVE Tongi! Very impressive!
in my opinion,Iam will be the winner of this year Idol,he’s connected to millions people,through his beautiful voice.
I believe I am willwin
I love him so much I hope he wins American idol ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Ima has a good voice. He is best singing ballads. An American Idol should be able to sing any genre. That is this writers opinion.
I’m impressed with Tongi’s performance. I believe he will win season 21.
Awesome entertainer.
It was obvious from the first time he sang that they were going to make him the winner. He is very good and he seems like a very nice young man but he is not the best singer. I am very skeptical of the voting . Doesnt seem possible to tally that many votes and have the cards all ready in that amount of time
We’ ANI needs to win ! He is ok but he sounds the same in every song , she is Awesome her voice is versatile
Love Her she is Awesome