James Blunt is a retired army officer. Military life is a life of mutual support, teamwork, and personal responsibility. You can see this embodied in the entire performance.

It was beautiful that James Blunt came to support Iam. I think his stoic performance was purposeful, as he was the needed emotional rock to lean on. When he reached out and touched his arm, Iam nodded and acknowledged that he had to continue. It is my favorite Idol scene ever, I don't think it will ever be topped.

You are right about your comment that James is stoic. He is a former military officer - he was a Captain in the British army who led 30,000 men in Kosovo. His father is a retired colonel. He comes from a long line of stoic men who were never very good at speaking about their emotions. That is why, when his father was terminal, he wrote this song to tell him how much he loved him. It was because of this song that the kidney donor came forward and his father's life was saved. I would really like to see your reaction to James' original Monsters video.

James is not stoic at all! He is shivering right from the beginning and fighting his tears… and then he gives this hurted boy support. It is the most beautiful emotional touching performance I’ve ever seen ❤️

It was on one of the morning shows where Iam mentions that he was ready to sing the song but it was James voice that triggered him. The way that James sang brought Iam's emotions further out and they both tried to finish it. No one, absolutely no one, will fault them for the way they sounded, how else can you sing while crying. They still did an excellent job and this performance will come out as not only the most viewed duet on American Idol, but a video that will be refreshed over and over again for a long time in the future. You can't fake this, this was real, this was raw, and people will come back to watch it again and again.

This performance will be remembered for a very long time.

The lyrics go " you can feel my hand on your own" James changed it in this performance to " you can feel my hand on your arm" Absolutely incredible

Love this. It takes a real man to cry. Them singing this song, I've seen more grown man crying than ever. 😆 And that's ok! It shows grown man has feelings also. I cry every time.

This was a GOD GIVEN EVENT when Iam was placed on this earth! HE has turned the whole world upside down to make humanity understand the meaning of love and humility through this young man.

IAM AND JAMES HAVE GIVEN THE WORLD THERAPY FOR THE LAST MONTHS WITH THIS SONG ! Truly a gift to the world. GOD BLESS THESE TWO !! 🙏 ❤️

James Blunt is an absolute GUN🤙🏽

James Blunt was so kind and compassionate yeah super emotional and his first audition still gets me Iam is definitely a God sent thanks guys

Happy that James was there singing with Iam,watching Iam breakdown and look at James,he reminds me of a little kid crying looking for someone to lean on,we will never forget this Duo we love Iam and thank you for all your support ❤

Before the finale I knew the Monsters was gonna be emotional because at Iams homecoming a few days earlier in Hawaii with all his family next to him on stage , about to sing in front all his extended family friends and fans...Iam had to restart a few times at the beginning because it was so emotional for him. Even Lillie had to come to give support by his side till he was ready., Once he started, Monsters was extremely difficult. The kahuku crowd was singing to help him. I cried. I knew then that finale Monsters with James Blunt was gonna so much more difficult. To see the finale Monsters ... it was like my heart was stabbed.. to see his face in agony it was so hard to watch. I still can't watch it without bawling 😭😭😭 The fact that Iam stayed in tune and harmonised shows he is beyond talented. Thank you James for being the strength at the very "moment". A substitute Dad by Iams side. When James sings " you can feel my hand on your arm". .. Iam keeps going in lower harmony. At 18 still young still innocent .....he gave us the most special moment we will never ever forget. It's the innocent magic of a child we know inside us that cries but we as adults hide it... Not Iam ...he showed us his pain and our hearts understood. Thank you Iam. We love you ❤ sending love from New Zealand ❤❤❤ Iam fan forever xx

I'm a daughter, not a son, and this song just wrecks me. My father died when I was seventeen. Over three decades ago. So many things were left unsaid on my part. Being a teen is hard enough, but watching him suffer and pass made things a thousand times worse. I have so many regrets that I never got to say the things I should have. The words "There's no need to forgive, no need to forget, I know your mistakes and you know mine" just kill me. I miss my dad so very much. Even decades later.

Omg..I can't stop crying either.....my dad past 11 years ago, and it brought back when my dad past, I watched him leave us. Proud of Iam!! Thanks guys....

I’ve been seeing American idol for a long time but I have never voted until I saw and heard Iam.. there’s just something about him that’s so heart warming and so pure .. he has touched our hearts.. it’s beautiful

For those of us who know Iam personally, he has always been a “what you see is what you get” kinda person. He is one of the most genuine kids and wears his feelings on his sleeve. I’m so glad America gets to see the genuine aspect of Iam and Polynesian culture. This duet was the performance everyone needed.

James is British and just stoic but he comforts Iam. I believe James’ voice cracked in the beginning because he was choking up too. So touching. 😢 This season has been amazing and enriching for so many emotionally. James is back in the charts because of Iam’s audition. They used the other verses this time. Powerful. Thanks for input and reaction.🌺🌺🙏🙏🌺🌺

Mahalo for loving and supporting our Island boy IAM. I lost it like many when IAM couldn’t hold it and looking at James Blunt for help and the James understanding put his hand on his arm, I couldn’t back my Sob at that moment. Even Katy Perry couldn’t hold back, yet she did at the audition. You could feel that big tight hug they gave each other. I so agree 💯 to your reaction. Mahalo Again.

No matter how many times I hear this song it still impacts me emotionally. In the original version, James sings "You can feel my hand on your own" but changes it up in the moment to both support Iam & bring continuity as they battle on to finish it. It was the roughest, unpolished, beautiful, raw, uniquely impactful song I've seen perform live on a world stage & I love it.

Blunt is an amazing writer and singer. Iam T is talented and authentic. That lyric and moment where he touches him was special. Grieving is something which we can all understand and relate. You're right. It crosses cultures and politics. I believe Blunt was also affected by the moment.

Actually, the 1st image was incomplete. American Idol didn't post the full clip of the beginning but it was just a highlight from his audition. It was few seconds but TalentKingHD has the full video if you want to see it. Even the hug was cut off from the upload on AI channel. James gave him a big/long hug consoling him with a kiss on the cheek after they got through it. James was emotional at the beginning as you'll notice he was shaking (you guys noticed it) but pulled it together once Iam didn't finish his part and got him through that performance. It was a soul crushing performance.

To support Iam during the performance, James Blunt changed the lyrics last minute from “you can feel my hand on your own” to “you can feel my hand on your arm.” 👏

To hold the grief for the entire Idol journey and stay strong must’ve tough and then the finale to finally let some of that grief out and could not hold was the most touching moment in idol history

Watch James hands shaking and listen to his voice breaking as he tries to help and support Iam. When he places his hand on his arm...I was really gone. Lost my daddy at 15. I still Daddy's Little Girl 55 years later. Love you Daddy ❤ Gentlemen had not seem your entire viedo about James Blunt's hands and voice. May I ask you a personal question... are your fathers still with you? This viedo will be played this Father's Day and every one after. Thank you for showing your emotions! ❤ 11:51

I sure miss my Dad. I believe James donated the proceeds of this song to people who are going through what his Dad went through. The first time I heard this song is when Iam sang it. The Original is powerful too. James sang the original with his Dad but he could only do it once because he was too emotional 😢

Thank you for knowing that Iam and James were sent to wake us up! After COVID we needed this❣️. Mahalo to you two.

I love this reaction! Because when my dad passed, my wife said a similar thing to me. "Lean on me. Lean on me to help you stand and get you through". Thank you for the reaction.

How you guys interpreted these emotions were so spot on! Both James and Iam sang with such honestly and rawness but purity! Every single time I listen to Iam's and then them together just pulls out emotions I never knew existed.... Raw beauty!

I love both your true authenticity and emotions shown on this reaction! You guys are amazing and the feedback is on point ❤

I think Iam really felt the words coming from James.

Everytime I listen to this song, everytime I've watch this I can't help let my emotions flow. I lost my father November 11, 2020 to cancer. My dad and I had a very strong relationship. One thing he did in all the years of me growing up was he worked so hard to be strong for me and to set an example for me to follow in his footsteps. The day my dad left I spoke to him and promised that I would do everything in my power to continue where he left off. He couldn't respond anymore but I know he heard what I said. My dad did chase the monsters away and he was my hero, so I every time I hear this song I am reminded how I promised my dad that he could now rest and it was now my turn. I love you dad.

I was a messed after watching this and not only me, it's the whole world crying for this genuine performance. What a performance of James Blunt and Iam Tongi❤❤❤ Everybody who watched this will never forget this guy for touching our hearts.

Much alohas to you both for your love, support and heartfelt reactions for our island boy. Thank you 🌺

Im 54 , this young man made me human , i ball like a baby when i hear him singing. special voice and delivery.

James blunt have shown true comfort to Iam, what an amazing artist and Iam on the other hand just pour his emotions out. So heatbreaking watching this duet. Thanks for sharing but it did make me cry watching it.

IAM did an enormous effort to use his voice that faded painfully during his singing. So beautiful but too emotional. I felt IAM's pain! 😢😢

James sings this song so strong to keep himself from showing emotion and Iam's feelings are on his sleeve and so raw with the resent passing of his father, it's heart wrenching really 😢

It doesn't matter how many times u watch it u end up crying its crazy 😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤

Absolutely amazing he is healing the world 😢😢he is such a precious angel ❤❤God bless him always ❤

So raw, vulnerable, and heartbreakingly beautiful that it pierces the soul. As a side note, the great Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole's birthday was Saturday May 20th and Iam won American Idol the next day Sunday May 21st. 🌺❤️🌺

I knew this would be emotional for Iam😢James Blount was so compassionate and helped him get through it. ❤🎉 Iam is still grieving his Dad 😢

Even James Blunt's voice cracked just as he took up with, '..and while you're sleeping...' to spell off the emotional Iam. Geez......what a memorable performance by them both.

God the way Iam and Jame both sing with their hearts on their sleeves is just so beautiful

That’s exactly how I felt when James Blunt grabbed Iam’s arm. He definitely at that moment sang to Iam letting him know he is right there with him. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Yes everytime I watch All the reactions to IAM TONGI Audition n their performance make me cry every time thank you two All your reactions love for IAM TONGI have a Blessed day and always with your families.

Can you imagine Iam heard Blounts version of this song and is now singing with him. My gosh it's so much more emotional than when he sang the song at the audition. 😊

James Blunt is a beautiful soul. I’m so glad he was there for Iam. That’s a hard song to sing and listen too and not break down

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm a nurse. I was a hospice nurse when my father past in 2017. One of my brothers didn't go see him because his daughter was going to give birth. I still resent that. My other brother called me, crying, telling me that our dad was in the hospital and he didn't look good. He went home before I got there. He didn't go back to the hospital. He didn't think that he could handle it. My father was non responsive and I, as a hospice nurse new there was no turning back. So my wife and I stayed with him, the doctor knew that I was a hospice nurse and ordered every medication that I requested. I have always thought that our parents had their favorites. My oldest brother was my moms favorite and my second oldest brother was my dads favorite. It didn't matter to me. He was my father. When he was getting closer to death and still non responsive, I told him that he was the best dad in the world. His body just shook. I knew that he knew that I was there for him. After he past, I stayed in my apartment for a whole week, I would go into these crying episodes like a little child, thinking about my father. I knew that he loved me even though I knew that I was not his favorite. Yeah, it was like to grown men saying goodbye. I'm glad that I was there for him. My father, I love and miss him.

One of the sweetest thing in the performance was the fact that James and the pianist both slowed down the tempo to give Iam time to recover, to give him the support he needed in that moment. I love your take and insight in your thoughts on the song. Thank you for sharing such raw emotions with me.

I was already tearing up at the intro. This whole performance is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful. They are two men on that stage who have lost their dads and the support James Blunt offers Iam is so genuine. I truly believe that both of their fathers were on the stage that night. Also props to Jelly Roll for supporting Iam's mom in the audience.

Gentlemen…your reaction was beautiful 😭😭😭

Iam was sent from heaven, but Rodney's passing helped him push thru grief and change the world. I'm 63( lds), and just when i was losing hope for our country...God sent Iam as a unifying angel😇🥰

When you love your dad from the souls..... You feel it from the souls....... Love always touch every souls of human being....... Keep growing young man...... ❤️❤️❤️From India

Beautiful, honest reaction. Thank you, gentlemen.

Heartfelt Mahalo for for expressing true emotion! Your reactions to this powerful performance was beautiful. I found you both through Iam's performances and will definitely remain!

New subscriber I cried all the way through this with u both 😢😢❤

Thank you for your reaction to rhis and supporting Iam! This was a very emotional moment!

I am so happy to see a true reaction. Not just for a video to get watches but to see true emotions... thats what true aloha means.

Wow this is what real men is all about supporting each other through difficult times 😢 thank you both for your reaction.

Your reaction and commentary reflect how we related to each other as a human beings...thank you for your support! Malo and Mahalo

You can feel the sincerity in their voices, James Blunt trying to hold back the tears and his emotions to keep Iam's composure throughout the song is really recommendable and highly professional. It is difficult to sing when your emotions is in the song and that explains him trembling. His body can't contain the emotions but he has to do it for Iam. This is pure love indeed. These 2 men are legends..I love Iam so much and on this performance it makes me love and respect James Blunt too. 😭😭❤️❤️

I’m a 200 lb ex drill sergeant and combat Army veteran. And this made me cry like a baby.

Beautiful interpretation of their performance. Thank you so much for your reaction. We are so proud of our hometown boy Iam. ❤🤙🏻RIL Rodney 🙏

James did a great job of keeping Iam going.

After all these tragedy going on around the world, and the loved ones that we’ve lost along the way. Iam helped us find LOVE that’s been locked deep down inside all of us around the world and that’s what we’ve needed. I think sometimes we just need to cry in order to feel what pain and love is, that’s what’s missing inside this world that we need back again, love, respect, expression,unity, humanity. I haven’t watched American idol for years now, up until people were talking about this kid on American idol audition.. yessa blessa my brahda IAM much mahalo’s!!!

James Blunt may have written this song for his dad but little did he know that through a very innocent young man that’s just trying to cope with the loss of his father and through the strength of his mother that signed him up (I’m sure his mum just wanted his son to continue on with his talent) but boy oh boy her son has brought the world to cry together in the most humility way. This performance also makes me feel like an addictive where I play it all the time and cry each time and even though I know I’ll cry ugly but still replay it again and again .. just so therapeutic for me I guess 😅❤❤❤ Peace to the world and thanks again to your video

I never had a dad, ever, and I’m still here crying every time I watch

❤❤❤ Iam. What a touching performance! Not a dry eye in my household during this performance. Thank you James Blunt for a beautiful song. 😢😢❤❤

Music does heal the world! Thank you for sending the message out into the world!❤

I believe this makes 5 times I watched their performance, and I cried every time and you hit the nail on the head when you said, Son to a Father, Mother to a Son, and so on…it simply touches your heart and blessings of tears abundantly flows through, amazingly wonderful feeling afterwards 😘😘😘

Out of all the youtube reactions to this song/video that are out there, you two are the only ones that gave an intelligent, meaningful, vulnerable and heartfelt response/reaction. You truly listened and felt every word and related it to your own experiences. I have the upmost respect for both of you. Excellent.

Thank you to you both and your reaction ❤ you both are inspiring and motivational

Iam Tongi is 18 years old... being able to pick yourself back up after breaking down mid song is very impressive

Blown away by a powerful, emotional, beautiful & relevant musical duet that touches humanity!🙏

Much Love .&. Aloha from Hawaii for showing your support for, Iam! Much Respect!!

This reaction is even better than your original reaction to IAM, making the judges cry. Never thought I would say that after hearing the first one. Love you guys.

The best reaction for this version of the Monster song. Thank you guys. Love it!!!! Love Iam and James Blunt❤

Yes it’s very emotional I’m sitting in my home in Sydney watching you both I’m crying you’re crying the world’s crying with love❤️

James Blunt ad-libbed the line where he sang you can feel my hand on your arm as he touched Iam's arm. The lyric is actually you can feel my hand in your own. I thought that was so beautiful.

Love your analysis and review. This song evokes deep emotions, even anticipatory grief. Iam went full circle...first sang Monsters during AI auditions and then he got to sing it again during the finale with songwriter James Blunt. Epic moment and performance.

ah man.... i cant do it.... they both did they best to hold it together....but IAM hit it in the heart with the duet he feel the presence of of his dad.... well done

What a beautiful moment for two exceptional singers supporting each other. ❤❤ Thank you so much.

Beautiful indeed! I cry on every reaction given to this video, especially on yours, your statement is 💯 accurate.

I have seen James Blunt break down singing this song. He was being strong for Iam. Great man!

I wonder what James thoughts were when Iam first sang his song during audition. But James voice was superb 🔥

Mahalo for supporting Iam, I love that he touches us all, also friend in the stripped shirt, I just love how you pronounce Iam’s last name.

Darn, it's hard watching this without crying buckets ❤️

It's a beautifully written song❤

FYI - Iam and James recorded a new version of Monsters, different from both James' original or Iam's audition. It is available on KZfaq, for anyone who is interested in checking it out.

I can’t not to cry every time im watching him singing. I watch this over and over. But can’t stand not to cry. So rmotional one.

Song. Artist and Performance of the year 2023 … The Best American Idol ever ! 💗😭😭😭✅🎧🤗

For me James putting his hand on Ian’s arm to calm and reassure him, at the exact time his own father put his hand on his arm in the music video just absolutely wrecks me.

hey guys! Mahalo for reactions ! I must’ve watched this 100 times and cry every time ! 😢

❤❤❤the reaction. You guys r awesome. Love from San Francisco. Blessed you 😢

Such a powerful performance and the absolutely beautiful musical arrangement makes it even more so.

Love your reaction and kind words for Iam. We’re so proud of him! A suggestion, please PLEASE do a video on Lewis Capaldi Wish You the Best!! You’ll just LOVE the video! Please Please Please!!!!

I just listened to his song Dreams. OMG it was beautiful. This young man is special.

I watched this video several times and I ended up crying! 😢 I lost a family member and I still feel the pain upto now! What an emotional beautiful performance by James Blunt & Iam Tongi! ❤❤❤