New ‘American Idol’ Champ Breaks Silence On Show's 'Rigging Scandal'

I am Tongi already feels the effects of stardom after his "American Idol" win!

The newly crowned champion of the 21st season of the music show has finally broken his silence on the recent scandal surrounding the show's alleged rigging. It is expected that viewers will have their favorites with every competition, and they certainly made that clear. 

Amidst speculations and whispers of unfair practices, the talented artist has addressed the controversy head-on. While some viewers believed he deserved the title, others accused the show of rigging the results in his favor, favoring sympathy over the talent of his fellow competitor, Colin Stough.

Hailing from Tongan and Samoan heritage, he achieved a historic milestone by winning and becoming the first individual from Hawaii to claim the coveted first place.

In a statement to Daily Mail, Tongi responded to the allegations, expressing his indifference to the negative attention and even stating that he "loves it." He also shared that his late father, Rodney Tongi, who passed away in 2021, had prepared him for the potential backlash of being in the spotlight.

The artist reflected on his father's advice, "My dad always told me that your music's not meant for everyone. There will be people that are not going to like it, and that's OK; that's normal. Everyone gets their own opinion. Everyone gets to think what they think. So, it's fine." 

When dealing with online haters, he chooses to respond with kindness. He admitted to liking some of the negative posts because he believes it is necessary to let those things happen and learn from them.

The "I'll Be Seeing You" singer humbly acknowledged, "But look, [my] music's not for everyone. And I have to learn that the hard way." Conveying his admiration for Stough, he affectionately stated, "I love Colin, man. He's such a kind guy." He shared his anticipation to reconnect with him to "jam out again and have fun." 

Tongi emphasized that he has no intention of pursuing those who do not support him. Instead, he will direct his attention to the individuals who do. Appreciating the love and support from his community, he revealed that he would not actively chase after fans. He added:

"I'm going to be myself and do what I love and just have fun while I'm doing it and see whatever happens, happens." 

Following the thrilling conclusion of the final episode of "American Idol," fans took to social media to share their reactions as the Tongan-Samoan contestant, Iam Tongi, was crowned the winner. 

The talented high school student surpassed fellow finalists Megan Danielle (second place) and Colin Stough (third place), instantly capturing fans' attention and adoration and transforming into an overnight sensation. 

The Blast reported that many individuals shared their delight following Tongi's captivating performance of his original masterpiece, "I'll Be Seeing You," ultimately securing his position as the winner. Responding to a tweet that shared a link to his rendition of "Monsters" with renowned singer James Blunt, an ecstatic fan enthusiastically tweeted:

"What a great 3 hours of entertainment! Outstanding performance by Reuben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Congrats to Iam Tongi. I'm sure the rest of them will do well too. 💕."

One fan humorously claimed that everyone who visited their pet hospital voted for Iam, while another jokingly mentioned, "Guys, I lost my wife to Iam Tongi reaction videos. I'm unsure if or when I'll ever get her back." Meanwhile, a fourth Twitter user expressed their satisfaction, stating, "America did it right this time."

Among the overwhelming support, fans shared their suggestions, with one person proposing the idea of Disney/ABC considering Tongi for a role in the live-action adaptation of "Moana" to help "launch his career," highlighting that the same company owns both productions. 

While another tweeted, "I am Tongi deserves that win so much."