18-year-old Iam Tongi has been crowned the winner of American Idol Season 21.
On Sunday’s season finale of the singing competition series, Tongi, 18, was crowned the winner following a stunning performance of his original song “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
He was up against Megan Danielle and Colin Stough, who placed second and third, respectively.
After host Ryan Seacrest crowned Tongi the winner, he sang “Don’t Let Go” as his family, the judges and audience members swayed along and celebrated the feat.
Tongi previously brought the judges to tears during his audition, where he dedicated the song “Monsters” to his father, who died months before his audition.
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“I was not worried about whether you were going to make it through the song, I was worried about whether we were going to make it through the song. Your daddy is very proud,” said judge Lionel Richie at the time, as Katy Perry noted, “What a fantastic song to pick. You’re making these grown men cry.”
“I cannot handle your heart breaking about your dad because my nephew lost his dad and he came to live with me and just seeing you missing your dad sucks. Gosh man, you’ve got a great voice. You did everything perfectly and I love you and want to see you have fun,” added Luke Bryan.
