Fans of “American Idol” have watched countless auditions that have left a lasting impression over the years, but few have resonated quite like Iam Tongi’s emotional rendition of James Blunt’s “Monsters” during season 21.
Tongi dedicated his audition to his late father, Rodney Tongi, who died just a few months before his audition. The Hawaii native’s audition would make Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and then judge Katy Perry tear up. His audition quickly went viral, now with over 50 million views on YouTube.
Tongi, who later won the season, revisited his Idol audition during a recent event, and fans still get choked up watching his impactful performance of the song.
Iam Tongi Performs His ‘American Idol’ Viral Audition Song ‘Monsters’
GettyIam Tongi’s “American Idol” season 21 audition is one of the most viewed auditions in Idol history. For those who remember it well, Tongi sang James Blunt’s “Monsters,” a song that deeply resonated with Tongi, who had just lost his father. In fact, it brought all three judges to tears.
Four years later, Tongi sang the very song that skyrocketed him to stardom. While headlining the 2026 Utah Area Young Single Adult conference on August 15 and 16, Tongi sang “Monsters” in front of a packed crowd.
According to The Church News, Tongi performed several of his original songs, along with his mother’s favorite gospel song, “Consider the Lilies.” However, it was his heartfelt cover of “Monsters” that had “American Idol” fans reminiscing about his unforgettable audition, especially since he had the opportunity to perform the song once again on the Idol stage, this time alongside James Blunt himself.
Tongi Collaborates with Dwyane ‘The Rock’ Johnson for ‘Your Dad’
Tongi was given a dream opportunity when Dwyane ‘The Rock’ Johnson personally phoned him and asked if he could help create a song for him for a project that would accompany the live-action film “Moana.”
Speaking to Deseret News, Tongi revealed that he had already written a song title, “My Dad,” as a tribute to his late father when Johnson asked him about helping him come up with a song for the record “Moana: Voice Across the Ocean,” executive produced by Johnson. Tongi sent over his song, which Johnson loved.
However, Johnson asked Tongi if it would be okay to rework the lyrics and transform the song to “Your Dad,” a track Johnson could perform himself as a tribute to his daughters. Tongi told the outlet that he got “very emotional” hearing Johnson’s version, especially since it fell on his dad’s birthday.
“I was imagining this is my dad singing to me,” he said.
The album also features the song “In the Waves,” which Tongi both wrote and performed with Paula Fuga. In an Instagram post promoting the album, Tongi shared how proud he was to be involved in the project.
“Being included on an album that celebrates Polynesian culture is a dream come true. Working with @therock Dwayne Johnson on it is next level,” he wrote. “Thank you to Dwayne and the team for including MY voice.”
