The competition heats up on season 24 of “American Idol” when the just-named Top 20 contestants perform at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa, vying for viewers’ votes for the first time. The episode, airing on March 16, 2026, will also feature some familiar faces.
“American Idol” season 21 winner Iam Tongi and season 23 Top 5 finalist Thunderstorm Artis — both Hawaii natives who now live in Tennessee (Tongi in Memphis and Artis in Nashville) — will return to the show to perform together.
Thunderstorm Artis Felt a ‘Sense of Peace’ Returning to the ‘Idol’ Stage
“American Idol” announced the guest performance by Tongi and Artis via social media on March 10, posting a photo of the alums together in Hawaii and an image promoting their new collaboration — a new single called “Island Style” by Artis, featuring Tongi, who will also perform his new song, “Good For My Soul.”
Fans were thrilled to see the singers together, including one who wrote on Instagram, “Can’t wait loved these two so glad to see them back on American idol”
Another chimed in, “North Shore Boiz!!!!! Yessah Blessah Nevah Stressah” and someone else commented, “Omgggg I won’t be missing this definitely gonna watch it!!!”
DisneyArtis also commented on Instagram, “What a great time,” and shared the post in his Stories, writing, “What an honor to be back on @americanidol with my brother @wtongi representing the great state of Hawaii”
While in Hawaii to film, Artis told Billboard in an interview published on March 10 that it was “a really special feeling” returning to the “Idol” stage.
“There is a sense of peace, of being welcomed back into a family that you had such a great experience with. I want to jump right back into the seat of it all,” he said. “For me, it’s a good feeling. I told my wife the first day we landed, ‘Man, this feels good.'”
Thunderstorm Artis & Iam Tongi’s Friendship Almost Didn’t Happen
This won’t be the first time Artis has appeared on season 24 of “American Idol.” The independent singer-songwriter was shown on-camera during the 2026 auditions, listening in backstage with headphones. Judge Luke Bryan called out to him when Brooks Rosser auditioned. When asked what he thought, Artis said he was “obsessed” with Rosser’s voice.
This also won’t be the only time Artis has collaborated with Tongi. In a social media video posted on February 18 — weeks after they would have taped their Aulani performance — the two were seen together jamming with season 21 contestant Oliver Steele, who was Tongi’s best buddy on the show. They all sang Tongi’s new single, “Eyes On You.”
But that connection almost didn’t happen; in early January, Artis admitted on the “Consider It Joy” podcast that he quit “American Idol” before the Hawaii round, when all contestants have to sign a recording contract — but producers lured him back.
“It was pretty terrifying for me because I had built a business already on my music,” Artis said. “So to just kind of give it away in the way that it was presented to me at the time was really terrifying. And I don’t know if this is information that should really be out there or not, but I technically — I mean, I love the ‘Idol’ team — I technically left the show at that point.”
Artis and Tongi will appear on the first of two episodes featuring the Top 20’s performances, which viewers will vote on, airing on March 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
