Regardless of ending the season on a bitter notice, the most recent “American Idol” champion isn’t bitter.
Iam Tongi, who made historical past because the first Pacific Islander to win “American Idol,” isn’t fazed by the rigging accusations that accompanied Sunday’s triumph — actually, he stated he “loves it.”
“Lots of people are like, ‘Colin Stough was robbed,’ or no matter. And I simply find it irresistible,” Tongi, 18, instructed the Daily Mail.
Tongi, of Samoan and Tongan heritage, reigned victorious within the twenty first season finale, beating out Stough, 18, and Megan Danielle, 20, however his win baffled followers who claimed the singing competitors was “rigged.”
As a substitute of letting haters get to him, he throws a “like” to critics’ social media posts, explaining he simply has to “let these issues occur.”
“I’m responsible for liking it,” he admitted. “However look, [my] music’s not for everybody. And I’ve to study that the onerous means.”
He inherited his optimistic outlook from his late father, Rodney, who handed away in 2021 earlier than “Idol” auditions started.
“My dad at all times instructed me that your music’s not meant for everybody. There’s going to be individuals that aren’t going to love it and that’s OK, that’s regular,” he added. “Everybody will get their very own opinion. Everybody will get to suppose what they suppose. So, it’s effective.”
The Put up has reached out to Tongi for remark.
Amid the net vitriol, he maintains there’s no dangerous blood between him and the runners-up.
“I really like Colin, man, he’s such a sort man. I’m going to see him once more, we’re going to jam out once more and have enjoyable,” he stated.
In reality, it makes Tongi “completely happy” that viewers take pleasure in totally different genres of music, he stated, and he admires followers’ enthusiasm for Stough’s expertise.
“They love Colin that a lot [that they say], ‘He ought to have received,’” Tongi stated. “And that makes me completely happy, to be sincere.”
However Tongi isn’t prepared to “chase after followers” — he appreciates his fanbase and the group that continues to help him. He’s simply going to be himself, do what he loves, have enjoyable and “see no matter occurs,” he added.
Following his large win, Tongi described the historic moment as “amazing” and thanked voters for the “loopy” expertise.
This season was judged by Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry, the final of whom was the middle of backlash and controversy.
An unidentified supply alleged to the Every day Mail that the “California Gurls” singer thought-about leaving the present after producers “threw her under the bus.”
However Tongi, who shared he had “loads of enjoyable” with the truth tv judges, stated Perry could be missed if she determined to exit.
“The help [Katy] offers and the love [she] offers to the contestants could be missed,” stated Tongi, who introduced he’s engaged on new music he’s “excited to share.” “I might miss Katy [if she left].”
