I don't care what society has to say about fathers. This young man is an example of what it looks like when it all goes right with a father and his son. This song destroyed me in a good way. I too love my dad, and I'm so glad I got to experience this pureness...it changed my life.

I’m a grown man and i had no expectations of crying, but that first “it’s my turn to chase the monsters away” hit me so hard.

Rest easy Sir Rodney. Your son did very good !! Thank you for being a great dad !!!

My father passed away a week ago in Mexico. Before he was buried, I adapted the song to a short poem in a Spanish version. I said this in front of everyone. I barely made it, and goes like this: " Hoy, hoy no soy tu hijo Hoy tu no eres mi padre, Hoy somos dos viejos amigos que se dicen adiós, No hay necesidad del perdón, No hay necesidad del olvido, Por que yo conozco tus errores, Y tu los míos, Y mientras duermes, Prometo hacerte orgulloso de mí, No hay nada que temer, Que hoy viviré la vida, tal y como es "

All this man needs Is an Audience, he can tell an amazing story through his amazing voice!

I don't think it's possible to watch this and not cry. James Blunt's song captures the relationship between a father and his son. Iam's dad has left a wonderful legacy.

Lionel is such a dude. His replies and delivery were so humble, so relaxed. Liked this one.

I just cried like a baby

I’m not crying,you’re crying! 60 yr old man here. Pure love

I didn't expect to cry, let alone sob. I also lost my dad a few year ago and these lyrics punched me in the chest. I'm proud of this young man.

how can he even perform so well. I'm falling apart just listening 😭

He has an amazing voice. You can hear the pain in his voice and see it in his face. He has such a deep connection with the music he sings. So glad he won.

I lost my Dad a few days ago and this song sort of gives you peace, weirdly enough along with the tears.

He just brought tears to every grown ass man's eyes...Thank you Ian

I was adopted at a young age by two people who had already raised their own children. (I was abandoned in the hospital by my biological parents). They were the best parents ever. People assumed they were my grandparents as I got older because they were both old enough to be, but I always knew them as mom and dad. They were foster parents for 18 years (adopting 3 children in total, all from different families) and helped more children than I could count. They were selfless and took great care of many kids, most of whom had medical issues due to physical/emotional/ substance abuse, but they didn't treat them any different than their own children. This video reminded me of my dad. They passed away almost 10 years ago, only 3 weeks apart, and I miss them every day.

The judge’s patience and empathy for him is so beautiful. They create an amazing environment for him

I lost my father right as this audition came out. I tear up every time I see this. What an amazing interpretation of this song.

Don't need stage costumes, fancy dance steps....but just a beautiful, genuine voice that emotionally connects and plucks the emotional strings of the people's hearts. What a talent.

I grew up in the Seattle area since I was 2. I went to school with so many islanders. They all seemed so happy, funny and could sing and play instruments. It’s so cool to grow up around such diversity. Thank you Mr Tongi for taking your voice and your story to the world!

I dedicate this to my father, Jerold Kelley (1947-2001) You were such a great man, father and provider. When you left that day, a huge chunk of me went with you. I hope I’ve made you proud. 💙🌹

I have warched this audition sooo many times on soo many different platforms... and it gets me EVERY time

This is just the most incredible audition in history. The feeling, the soul and the emotions are unmatched

He won't fracture souls, he'll fracture the walls around them ❤

he made me and the judges cry true talent. what an amazing voice

One of the greatest auditions ever. Ever I say, ever!

Not to be that person, but I feel like this could be the best and last season of American Idol. This man is the embodiment of the most pure un-adulterated expression of love family and passion all wrapped up in one person. There is no hiding because his music expresses it all from start to finish. This is what music, and idol was and is all about and should be about. Emotional freedom.

I keep coming back to this audition because it reconnects to a part of myself that gets hidden away while navigate a harsh world.

Grown man and a father right here had me bawling in tears. Young man, you just shook my world. Thank you for sharing that with us.

This 18 yr old young man just made this 48 yr old man move to tears.

Rooted for him since the beginning, and he was just crowned the winner. BEYOND PROUD.

Cheeeeeeehoooooooo 🤙🏼 you made all dads proud.

Lost my father 10 years ago and it hurts everyday still , I salute this kid for the strength and power to keep it pushing 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

My old man has been gone for 20 years. 20 years and I’m crying like a baby listening to this man. Well done. May God bless him and give him peace and strength

Iam glad my dad is still alive....this song has made me to cherised my dad while he is still alive

This hit me hard, my father passed away 34 years ago on my 18th birthday, got to say it gets easier but never leaves you. Sung with passion and meaning, just beautiful.

I lost my father Feb 9 2023 and I have never related to a performance more than this in my entire life and my life is music

My step-father is in his late 70's now. This song hits me in the feels because he wasn't perfect but he adopted me when I was a 3 year old boy and he's all I've ever known as a Dad. So I picked up the phone today and had a great conversation with him. I just loved this performance.

My dad took his final breath in my arms I’ll never forget the sound and the image,he passed in 2017 and I ain’t been right since, never felt more alone in my life,constant thoughts of being with him stays in my mind,this song brought back every memory and laugh I got to share with the old man,thank you brother I needed this

This song always gets me. Lost my dad a year and a half ago and I still listen to James blunts version and just reminisce. Powerful af👌

Congratulations Iam, You made Hawaii and your Dad proud!!!🤙

Luke, you made me cry at 830 in the morning!!! Get it dude!!! Phenomenal!!! Rip! Rodney!

i lost my dad almost year, perfect song even hard to accept he gone

Very proud and honored this man followed his heart ❤️ and shared his soul for us that lost our fathers too! Life is a journey and it gets very emotional 😭 for us that not only know the pain of what we lost…but go heal others by trying to heal also…memories are all we have left and music. Rings them alive…even if it’s just for a moment…

When he looks to his right and his dad isn’t there……hits me every time 🙌

I can watch this on every platform and because I loss my father this hit me right in the heart and his voice is amazing

This is one of those rare clips where you feel so grateful, and emotional, in the moment. Thanks so much.

This one went to my soul. So love your Dad, approached him and hug him while you still can.

Lost my Dad nearly 20 years ago...miss him every day!

So happy this young man won American Idol!! Big things coming for him 💙👊

I love the bond he's got with his uncle, it shows that his uncles been been trying to fill that role the best he can. He also features on one of his songs.

This is what is called singing through heart. You tell us what inside your heart through the song and i really catch your lost feeling. Amazing.

I just love Lionel Ritchie. He recognizes that this guy just might have it. Good musicians actually feel real emotions deeply. And use it in their music if their smart.

18 years and already a legend!!!

It’s a rare & precious gift to be able to use your own painful experience to tell a story in such a heartwarming way. What an amazing audition…it absolutely broke me. It’s pure magic at its finest. Fear not, young man, your dad is most definitely proud. ❤

This young man is so gifted. He has the ability to touch peoples souls. The way the son turned out proves the father was a beautiful Person.

I have watched this a million Times and love it!! My favorite to win and be the Next American Idol!!!!😊

I lost my grandfather last year. He was my favorite person in the whole world. This ministered to me. Thank you Iam.

This is why we need a strong father in family

I just love that his voice is just so emotional you can literally feel everything he is going through I didn't have the father figure in my life him singing this just makes me feel everthing love this!!!

Iam Tongi...a true winner in everyway! The most effortlessly natural beautiful voice, along with humility, empathy, consistency, playing an instrument, list goes on...winner as a human and as an artist! Even in your winning moments you shared the Mic and experience with your friends/contestants. Your dad would be so proud! You deserve the best and I will listen to your music all day! Congratulations Iam!

This is so beautiful. I lost my son on May 2, 2022 and this audition just makes me cry. I wish I could just hug Iam and take away his pain. I still miss my son and I know I always will. When we love so deeply we hurt so deeply. Now my husband has been diagnosed with Leukemia. I just lean on God for strength as I don't know what our future holds. Iam I will be voting for you as I love your voice. You remind me of IZ.

I keep coming back to listen to this and each time I do, i just get so emotional and just want to cry with goosebumps all over me.. 😢

Congratulations young man! You earned the crown tonight, Iam.

His voice is so beautiful, I really hope he wins ❤

Made me cry. Beautiful voice. Your Dad will always be with you

His voice is everything. Made me cry so quickly 😅 very touching and moving

Lost my Dad and this just filled my soul with memories

I’m tearing up just reliving the duet between IAM & James Blunt tonight during the finale 😭 What a beautiful deserving man 🙌🏽 Meagan also has a heart that connected with mine 🙏🏽 Thank God for bringing music into our lives to help heal 💞

every time I watch and listen to this I can’t help my tears. I really want to memorise this song even though it’s not my genre but when I get to the chorus my voice starts shaking and I start crying. I always remember my late father though we are not so close. He took his own life and no one believes that he can do such a thing. He’s a happy man and afraid of death, always positive and always say it’s so happy to be alive. Depression is unacceptable.

Every time I come back to this audition I start losing tears galore. I am so glad Iam won, and hopefully the whole process has helped him through his grieving.

I lost my father a few years ago. We never really got on and there was a lot of resentment built up over the years. This is the first time I’ve cried over his passing. This song may just be the closure I needed, but never had. Thank you Iam Tongi for this beautiful rendition. RIP Dad 💔

He poured his soul into the song and I know everyone can feel it.

Am sure your father is so proud of you dude ! Be strong man, God bless you

Everytime I watch this I cry this is a perfect example of what a good family can make

This young man has such a beautiful soul, I am in tears right now!😇🙏🏽

This hit me very hard. What an amazing tribute. Another grown man, sruggling to hold it together listening to that amazing delivery of a musical story. Well done mate. Your Dad will be immensely proud of you. Hug

I saw this audition and it broke me up. I watched the whole season pulling for him. I watch this again and it’s impossible to keep from tearing up. Many things could be said about this but quite frankly it wouldn’t be enough. An amazing and heartfelt performance. The very best 🌝

I can’t watch this without crying but can’t stop watching. This song hurts! I was 9 years old when I went to foster care and by the time I was 18 I lost my mom and my dad to health issues and lost my older brother! Life is so hard but you always stay so positive and that’s inspiring!!!❤❤❤

I guarantee this audition caused gallons upon gallons of tears from everybody that listened to it, I know I added to it myself.

this kid is so likable and has an amazing AND CALMING storyteller voice. Legendary Idol and audition!

I'm happy that I found you I miss my dad too he was my best friend he passed from the covid and I miss him every day i hope you become big I love your music keep it going man much love and and a big hug brother.

Everytime I watch it I feel the emotion

Katy Perry has taken a lot of heat recently, but this moment shows her true colors. She asks Iam what his father’s name is, and then she says it out loud: “Rodney.” Several times. In all the years since my father passed away and all the hundreds or even thousands of times I’ve talked about my father’s passing in conversations with people (because it was a defining moment in my life that I talk about often), not a single person has asked his name or said it out loud. That is literally the singular greatest thing someone can do to honor the loved ones we’ve lost. Their name speaks to their legacy. Speaking their name keeps that legacy alive for the people who miss them most. Like her or hate her, Katy showed so much respect in that moment for both Iam and his father Rodney, and I now have an all new respect for her. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 If you’ve lost a parent, type their name here for me (and others) to see and honor their memory. 🙏🏻💙

Everytime I watch this is cuts me up even before he starts singing. The most heartfelt song, beautiful. ❤

What an emotional experience to listen to this young man , it was a privilege. As a mother god bless you .

Whoever is chopping onions, please stop!!

Still crying a year later! Magnificent Iam Tongi!

Awesome job you made me cry so hard I know how it is to lose a Dad a friend a mentor keep singing brother God Bless you and your family

This song still hits mannnn powerful. Out of all the talented artists; this guy stands out in the number one bracket. phenomenal!

Hearing my father sob like a child when my grandfather passed, changed me and i know when that unfortunate time comes...i too will weep and remember my father just as he did for his.

Didn't fracture my soul. Smashed it to pieces. So beautiful!

The way he’s still going with all that pain deep inside. Strong man with a Big heart. ❤️

Bro you got all of us grown men squalling 😢 I ain't never met your dad and all I have to go by is hearing him or how I envision him sounding just pouring out of your soul man and we were blessed to hear this .. your dad one million percent got it right on what a dad is supposed to look like

This song hits to hard I lost my dad 7 yrs ago to cancer this guy did a great job

A real singer, real passion, pure emotions in his voice. He is amazing, a true artist. Can listen to him all day. God bless him and his future 🙌

🥺 this guy is amazing...i literally felt all his love for his dad...🙏🙏

This is what the world NEEDS 🎉 LOVE And COMPASSION ❤️🤞

His talent is written all over their faces. ❤

Born to sing. Reaches people's hearts.

This will forever be the most powerful song I’ve ever listened to. I can’t even play it anymore because it brings out such strong emotions. Absolutely amazing, inspirational.