Iam Tongi, born on September 1, 2004, is a TV personality, singer, and songwriter hailing from Hawaii. He gained fame through his participation in American Idol 2023 and emerged as the winner of the 21st season of the renowned American singing competition.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Real name | William Tongi |
| Nickname | Iam |
| Profession | TV personality, singer, and songwriter |
| Age | 19 [as of 2023] |
| Date of Birth | 1 September 2004 |
| Birthplace | Kahuku, Hawaii |
| Hometown | Seattle, WA |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| College | Didn’t attend yet |
| Hobbies | Playing ukulele |
| Famous For | Winning American Idol Season 21 |
Iam Tongi Biography
Iam Tongi was born into a Hawaiian family in Kahuku, Hawaii, and he celebrates his birthday on September 1st. His given name is William Tongi, and he falls under the zodiac sign Virgo. He is currently on track to graduate from Decatur High School later this year.
Iam Tong’s Family
Tongi comes from a Christian family in America, with ancestral roots in Tongan, Samoan, and Irish heritage. A few years ago, his family relocated to Seattle from Kahuku, where he spent his childhood.
Rodney Guy and Lillie Rodney Tongi are his parents, though information about their occupations remains unavailable. Sadly, William’s father, Rodney, passed away approximately a year before he became a contestant on American Idol.
His father played a pivotal role in nurturing his musical talents. Among his siblings, he has two brothers named LeRod and Sitaleki, and two sisters named Jeniffer and Cassandra. While he has mentioned them on his social media accounts, additional details about them are not readily available.
Tongi’s Age, Height, and Weight
In the year 2023, Tongi is 19 years old. He stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches and weighs approximately 120 kg (265 lbs). William possesses dark brown eyes and black hair. While his body measurements are undisclosed, his shoe size is 9 (US).
Career
At the age of 11, Iam Tongi embarked on his musical journey by learning to play the ukulele under the guidance of his fifth-grade teacher. Initially facing challenges and discomfort, he persevered through finger pain, eventually mastering the ukulele and delving into songwriting.
In late 2020, he officially launched his music career with the debut single “Dreams.” After a hiatus of over two years, he made a triumphant comeback following his American Idol win.
In March 2023, Tongi released the single “Efiafi” in collaboration with Manatau Tuifua, his uncle being the collaborator who had consistently encouraged his participation in auditions.
Further expanding his discography, he released additional singles such as “Gone,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Trust Me.” His latest release is titled “I’ll Be Seeing You,” while “Dreams” remains his most popular song with nearly 400k Spotify streams.
His American Idol journey started in New Orleans, where he auditioned with James Blunt’s “Monster” and received positive feedback from the judges, advancing to the Hollywood Round. Through captivating performances, he progressed to the Top 26, Top 20, and eventually the Top 12, where he sang Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
With continued excellence in subsequent rounds, Tongi reached the finals, delivering three distinct performances and ultimately securing the title of winner. Notably, he became the first Hawaiian contestant to achieve this remarkable feat on American Idol.
Tongi’s Net Worth
Iam Tongi’s estimated net worth stands at $450,000, with music being his main source of income. As his popularity continues to rise, he aspires to establish himself as a prominent music artist in the near future. He has plans to release new music and showcase his talent in front of large audiences.
According to CheatSheet, as the winner of American Idol 2023, he is set to receive $250,000 in prize money along with a recording contract from Hollywood Records or 19 Recordings, providing him with valuable opportunities to further his music career.
