An 18-year-old high school student from Kahuku, Hawaii, was crowned the winner of “American Idol” on Sunday during a moving season finale.
Iam Tongi claimed the Season 21 title following an impressive, emotional run dedicated to his father, Rodney, who died a few months before Iam’s “American Idol” audition. Megan Danielle of Douglasville, Georgia, came in second, and Colin Stough of Amory, Mississippi, came in third place .
After he was named champion, Tongi delivered a joyous, celebratory performance of his new single, “Don’t Let Go,” surrounded by confetti and his Season 21 cast-mates. Throughout the competition, the singer wowed the judges and viewers with soulful covers of Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All,” Disturbed‘s “The Sound of Silence” and other songs.
