Hawaiian singer with a sweet voice wins American Idol

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Iam Tongi is the first "American Idol" winner from Hawaii.

A Hawaii-raised singer from the Northshore of Oahu was named the American Idol of 2023. He is the first winner of the singing competition from Hawaii after 21 seasons.

Eighteen-year old Iam Tongi won the coveted reality show, American Idol, last night, beating out Megan Danielle, a 20-year-old singer from Georgia.

Iam, who was born in Kahuku, moved to Washington state with his family where he is currently a student at Decatur High School in Federal Way, Washington. He is a blend of Tongan, Samoan, and Irish ancestry.

When asked why his family left Hawaii, Iam said his family had been “priced out of paradise.” The cost of housing in Hawaii is among the highest in the nation.

Iam was introduced to a national audience during his auditions when he sang an tearful rendition of James Blunt's "Monsters," dedicated to his father and musical mentor, who passed away in 2021. Posted three months ago, the video went viral, garnering over 16 million views on YouTube.

“People thought I cry because I miss him, but it’s ’cause I hear him singing — I can hear his harmony,” Iam told “Idol” producers after the audition. “I know he’s with me. Through my music he’ll always be with me.”

Throughout his time on “Idol,” Tongi performed a wide range of songs — including Cat Steven’s “Father and Son,” Sam Cooke’s “Bring it On Home to Me,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence.” but he seemed most at ease and joyful when he played his guitar and sang songs about Hawaii.

The winner of American Idol receives a $250,000 prize and a recording contract with Hollywood Records/19 Recording plus participation in a nationwide concert tour with the season's finalists.

Some of the most notable alumni from American Idol include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Katherine McPhee.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter or at his blog Views From the Edge.

Claudia Conway is 'going to Hollywood' for 'American Idol'

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Claudia Conway overcame her nervousness to qualify for the next round in 'American Idol.'

OPINION

Claudia Conway, daughter of Trump foe George Conway and Trump confidant Kellyanne Conway, is trying to carve out a singing career via the reality competition, American Idol.

In the opening episode, facing superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, 16-year old Claudia was clearly nervous but she tried to cover it up with teenage aplomb.

Claudia first sang Rihanna's "Love on the Brain" for a bit before Perry cut her off and asked her to try another song. Then, Claudia gave Adele's "When We Were Young" a shot.

By a vote of 2-1 — with Bryan casting the dissenting vote — the judges decided to send Conway to Hollywood. So, Claudia will return for at least one more episode after the auditions are over, which coculd go on for several more weeks.

Accompanying Claudia to the auditions was her father, George Conway, a Filipino American. It was good to see the elder Conway with his daughter, Claudia.

It was good to see the human side of George Conway, one of the founders of the Lincoln Project, a group of Republicans who opposes Trump.

Prior to his wife working for Trump, he was a highly placed attorney in the Republican Party. He represented Paula Jones in her suit against President Bill Clinton.

The conservative lawyer and I probably have little in common outside of the fact that we're both Filipino and we both oppose Donald Trump. 

But when he began talking about his daughter's dream of a musical career, the proud  shed a tear. He became a human being, not just a conservative political pundit.

When he teared up. I know exactly how he felt. 

My daughter was into musical theater in high school and when she sang on stage, my jaw dropped -- where did she get that voice? and then my eyes began to water and I had trouble swallowing.

When we see people as human beings, it's harder to objectify them and more difficult to separate and for a little while, at least, easier to understand. That's something we all need to do if we want to unite our country again.

So, yeah, George. I feelya.

From the Editor, a word of caution: This post is news laced with my opinion. You are encouraged to seek other news outlets to form your own opinion.

Nepalese American singer falls just short of winning 'American Idol'

For a moment, it looked like Nepalese American Arthur Gunn had won American Idol. When Ryan Seacrest announced Gunn, 22, as one of the two finalists, his family was screaming, dancing around the living room and confetti was raining.

Seacrest had to remind him that the other finalist was Just Sam, who was eventually crowned the winner.

Filipino American Francisco Martin, another fan favorite, made the top five but was eliminated along with piano teacher Jonny West and construction worker Dillon James.

From the auditions throughout the elimination process, Martin was a favorite of judge Lluke Bryan, who bid the college student goodbye.  He said he was “heartbroken that this is the last time we’ll get to hear you perform like this on ‘American Idol.’”

Under the social distancing rules forced American Idol to alter its usual format with artists singing in front of a live audience. All the performers sang from their living rooms and back porches making the climax suspenseful, but less exhilirating after the winner was announced.

Gunn, who was born in Kathmunandu, Nepal, but lives in Wichita, Kansas now, captured fans and the judgess' attention with his unique style that's hard to categorize, a cross between country, reggae and rock.

After singing his third version of "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," Gunn (a.k.a. Dibesh Pokharel) won over Bryan, who favored Martin. “Way to nail every aspect of ‘Idol.’ You have checked every ‘American Idol’ box that you need to check in my opinion. I mean, you’re a star,” Bryan gushed, continuing the show’s fixation on Gunn moving from Nepal to America to pursue his singing dreams. “If there are any more like you in Kathmandu, please get on the phone and call them and tell them to come out next year.”

Two Asian Americans vie for 'American Idol' finals

Both Asian American contestants, Francisco Martin and Arthur Gunn, made the Top 7 of American Idol and could end up in the finals next Sunday.

The Top 11 was whittled down to the Top 7 through the votes from the audience. The same voting process will determine who will move on to next week's finale.

Sunday night, the singers sang two songs each -- one from the Disney songbook and the second one dedicated to their mothers as a Mother's Day tribute.

Gunn, whose birth name is Dibesh Pokharel, was first to learn he had made the Top 7.

For his Disney selection, the Nepalese American, in his own unique style, sang his rendition  of the song “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid.

Before he performed his second number in the living room of his Wichita, Kansas home, Gunn read his mother a letter he had written thanking her for all she had done for him. Then, he sang a cover of “Hey Ma” by Bon Iver as she looked on.

“It’s amazing to see her reactions to me being on ‘American Idol,’” Gunn told the camera. “She’s bursting out in joy and she’s all smiles.”

For his Disney song, Martin picked “You’re In My Heart” from Tarzan and drew praise from the judges -- Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie -- who at this stage of the contest with the audience voting their favorites, just offer instant reviews. They remarked how relaxed he's become, in contrast to the nervousness he displayed earlier in the American Idol journey.

The Filipino American singer from Daly City, CA was even better when it came to his Mother’s Day song — “River” by Leon Bridges — which he dedicated to his mother, Fatima, who is working on the front lines at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco. 

Martin's emotional cover while his mother dabbed at her tears, impressed his enthusiastic supporter Luke Bryan who called it "better than the original."

“I would buy that right now,” he says.

Perry was just as taken, calling it “so soulful and beautiful and real.

Richie was a fan, as well, continuing to marvel at Francisco’s progress.

“You’re no longer in your head,” he said. “Your confidence is front and center and it’s all about your delivery now. …You have a career.”

The reality competition continued its unique format --  without a live audience with the competitors singing from their homes. The format change was necessary to maintain the social distancing edicts aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Fans can vote for their favorites at the American Idol website, use the Idol app or text until 9 a.m. Eastern Time, 6 a.m. Pacific, Monday.

Next week, the Season 18 “Idol” winner will be crowned during a finale that will air on ABC at 8 p.m.

Two Asian American singers. keep their hopes high on American Idol's Top Ten

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Francisco Martin sings from his home in Daly City, Caalif.

ASAM NEWS & 
VIEWS FROM THE EDGE

A shy Filipino American kid from Daly City, California and a Nepalese American from Wichita, Kansas who's into country and reggae, have made it into the top 10 of American Idol.

Francisco Martin and Arthur Gunn advanced out of the top 20 based on fan voting to make it into the top 10.They now go onto next week’s show when the top seven fan favorites will be revealed.

Martin was the last contestant named into the top 10, causing the 19-year old some nervous moments. Judges however emphasized the order of the reveal was random and not based on number of votes.

The singer, as did all the contestants appeared from home and introduced viewers to his mom, a frontline nurse at Laguna Honda nursing home in San Francisco, his sister Francesca and his dog.

Because of social distancing rules and the stay-at-home mandates to slow the spread of the coronavirus, American Idol had to come up with a way to continue live reality show that asks audience members to vote for their favorites. So, this year, instead of performing on stage in front of a live audience, the singers are having to sing from their homes.

Martin said being at home under quarantine has “messed with his mind” and his anxiety as he’s constantly worried about his mother being exposed to the coronavirus.

Preparing for Idol has taken his mind off things, which he says has helped. He admits being anxious about consistently being on top of his game.

He performed "Falling like the Stars," which moved judge Katy Perry to tears of joys.

Fellow judge Luke Bryan called Martin “a diamond in the rough” who “really knows how to get all the emotion out of a song.”

Lionel Richie heaped on his own praise.

“Halfway through that song, I saw you fly out of your nervousness and give us exactly what you’re all about-true talent, man.

Joining Martin next week is the show's first Nepalese American contestant. Gunn, whose birth name is Dibesh Pokharel, was born in Kathmandu, Nepal and moved with his parents to Wichita five years ago so his sisters could attend school. He performed in coffee shops in Wichita before taking his shot on American Idol.

Although he had been singing and playing his guitar since he was a kid in Nepal, it wasn't until his family moved to Wichita that he was drawn to the country music genre.

He drew praise for his reggae twist on the John Denver classicm "Country Roads." "You have a hit record there, my friend," said Richie.

Gunn, 21, is an original, putting his own spin on familiar songs and making the songs his own. After his audition song, Bryan asked him if he wanted to open for his upcoming concert?

Earlier in the singing competition, Richie went on to encourage the singer: “This is me talking to you and you have no idea what this journey is going to for you. You are the story we need to tell and welcome to the world.”

The judges used their save to advance Makayla Phillips into the next round, meaning there will be 11 competing for seven slots next Sunday.

Audience voting on the America Idol website or the American Idol App until Tuesday, 9 a.m. EST, 6 aa.m. PST. American Idol can be seen on ABC, 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Filipino American singer makes American Idol's top 20

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Francisco Martin sang his way to the Top 20 in this season's American Idol.

Season 18 of American Idol is underway and once again, a Filipino American is in the running for the reality talent competition.

Francisco Martin of San Francisco, a 19-year old college student, on Sunday (March 29) made his way through the auditions and the Hollywood phase that included a duet and solo, all the way to the Top 20.

For the first time this season, the competitors in the Top 40 performed before a live audience and Martin showed that he is a fan favorite. Young screamed through Martin's cover of Harry Styles’ “Falling” at the Disney resort in Aulani, Hawaii.

The young singer seemed more comfortable performing in front of a live audience in Hawaii than playing in front of only the judges. The nervousness that he showed in his audition and in Hollywood was nowhere to be seen.

When it was over, judge Luke Bryan was -- literally -- jumping up and down on his seat. Judge Katy Perry, perhaps influenced by the Hawaii setting asked, "Is that Bruno Mars? I like it." Pop sensation Mars, a Filipino American, was raised in nearby Honolulu.

The third judge, Lionel Richie, added: “When the girls screamed, did you see what he turned into? I don’t even think he sang for a moment. He just kinda sat there and took it all in.”

Martin is no stranger to performing. In the San Francisco Bay Area he belongs to a Filipino American band All for Patricia with which he plays drums and guitar and occasionally he sings songs in Tagalog.

Last season's winner, Laine Hardy, was the first time an Asian American won the contest. Before Hardy's win, Filipina American R&B singer Jessica Sanchez, was first runner-up.

American Idol could make history if later in the competition, if Martin survives the coming weeks, by pairing Sanchez and Martin to become the first Asian American duet on the show. Wouldn't that be something?

CORRECTION March 30: Earlier versions of this post had the wrong performance day.

Is the new American Idol winner an Asian American?

ASAM NEWS

We went an entire season without knowing it, but apparently 2019 American Idol champ Laine Hardy is Asian.

Neither Hardy or American Idol has commented on his racial background. According to Heavy, the 18-year old country singer preferred to keep the focus on his music, which leans towards country music with a dash of Elvis Presley.

Heavy reported that Hardy’s mother is Cindy Lou Hardy has on her Facebook page several photos of her son performing on Idol. She also appeared in the hometown visit segment of Idol last night.

Laine Hardy's proud parents.

Her son, who idolizes Elvis Presley, beat out semi-finalist Alejandro Aranda, 25, of Pomona, California for the top prize.

Hardy hails from Louisiana, according to The Advocate. People reports that Harding did not even intend to audition for the program this year. He competed last year, but fans eliminated him. This year, Hardy showed up to accompany a friend to the audition, but when the judges recognized him, they encouraged him to audition as well.

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Myra Tran eliminated from 'American Idol;' Jej Vinson advances on 'The Voice'

Myra Tran failed to win over the judges on 'American Idol.'

ASAM NEWS

For 19-year-old Myra Tran, paradise was anything but Sunday night. Judges on American Idol failed to advance the former winner of The X Factor Vietnam in 2016 to the top 20 of the ABC show which originated from Hawaii.
When she auditioned, judge Luke Bryan compared her to one of the best singers ever to emerge from the entertainment competition.

“You’re up there with the Kelly Clarksons of the world,” he said after she sang Jennifer Hudson’s "One Night Only".

Judges sang a different tune following Tran’s performance of "How Far I’ll Go" from Moana at the Aulani Resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii.

“We watched you last night and for whatever reason the song you did last night was not 100% compared to the competition,” said judge Lionel Richie. “Unfortunately, it will not take you to the next phase of this competition.”

Tran who has only been in the US for a year did not appear to have any family there to watch her, or at least anyone who wanted to be on TV. Ryan Seacrest consoled Tran.

“Let’s give Myra a round of applause. She did not get the news she wanted,” he said as he brought her to the other contestants.

They not only applauded, but gathered around her for a group hug.

“I did not sing good. And now [my] American Idol dream is done,” she said to the camera.

Jej Vinson's journey on The Voice will continue.

The news is much better for Jej Vinson on The Voice. Last week the Filipino American won his battle round and will go on to the live show to compete.

Vinson’s family immigrated from the Philippines in 2015 to Flandreau, South Dakota. He comes from a family of singers who have toured as a choir, according to KDLT-TV.

“We’re are just so happy he made it to The Voice and could represent Flandreau, the Filipinos,” says Jej’s former choir director and family friend Leonabelle Berdida to the TV station.

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Two Asian Americans poised to win 'American Ido'l and 'The Voice'

Watch out for singers Myra Tran, left, and Jej Vinson.

If you're a fan of reality shows, especially American Idol and The Voice, you're going to have fun this season by following the journeys of two Asian American singers who blew their respective judges away this week.

On Sunday (Mar. 3) , U.S. audiences were introduced to highschooler Myra Tran, who has only been in this country for a year.

When she was just 16-years old, Tran actually competed on and won Season 2 of The X Factor Vietnam in 2016. She captivated the judges there, and wanted to compete on American Idol to further establish her talent and work toward her goals.

According to the show's program notes, Tran — whose full name is full name is Trần Minh Như — moved to the United States from Vietnam just a year ago to pursue her dream of becoming a singer in America. "I [moved] here so I can follow my dream," she explained in the premiere episode. "[It's] the best way to follow my dream."For her audition, Tran covered Jennifer Hudson's "One Night Only."

You know she impressed the judges on ABC's American Idol when they began high-fiving each other midway through her audition.

"You're up there with the Kelly Clarksons of the world," judge Luke Bryan said, leaving Tran shaking. Clarkson is among American Idol's most successful alumni along with Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.

"You just need to keep singing, because if you keep singing, you're really going to connect with people," added pop artist Katy Perry. "I think we can really feel who you are through the music. Music transcends language barriers, and you just showed us that."

Speaking of Kelly Clarkson, on Monday night, she was the first judge on The Voice to turn her chair around for Filipino American Jej Vinson, as he sang "Passionfruit" (By Drake).

As Vinson's voice began to soar, the other three judges -- Adam Levine, John Legend and Blake Shelton -- turned their chairs around, hoping to convince the singer to accept their tutelage.

"You're a better singer than all of us," Levine quipped. He praised Vinson's precision in hitting the notes but advised him to put more emotion into his singing.

"You showed us this really precise, beautiful runs," Legend told the Los Angeles-based contestant. "It's like you knew the note you wanted and you just picked it out the air and hit every single one with precision, and beauty, and excitement. You got the whole crowd going."

Shelton, on the other hand, said: "I think everybody here is probably a little bit nervous talking to you right now. We all feel like we're all looking at the winner of 'The Voice' this season, I do. I think that."

Clarkson, who ran over to Vinson to hug him after his audition, said: "I can win this show with you. You are incredible, man. I turned around and I was like, 'What?' And it was so effortless."

In the end, the 22-year old Vinson picked Clarkson to be his coach.

Raised in Davao City in the Philippines, Vinson and his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 15. The Vinson family settled in South Dakota but three years later moved to Los Angeles where Jej studies music at USC and directs the school's a capella group.

There has never been an Asian American winning singer on either of these two shows. 

Jessica Sanchez, a Filipina American from San Diego, almost accomplished the feat in 2012 but finished as the first runnner-up on American Idol.

It's very early in their competitions and there will be pitfalls along the way but representation matters. It will be fun to follow Tran and Vinson as they move through their respective competition. In both shows, there comes a point when the audience votes for the singers. Get your smart phones and computers ready!

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Alyssa Raghu's 'American Idol' journey ends and we're all a bit sad

ALYSSA RAGHU: "I did my best."

IT'S THE end of the line for Orlando's teenager Alyssa Raghu on ABC's American Idol, but perhaps it's the launching of a long career.

After a sparkling solo performance Sunday that really impressed the judges' panel, her Monday duet with Banner lacked the polish expected of the contestants at this stage of the singing competition. Alyssa failed to make it into the Top 14 Monday (April 16).

Katy Perry said the teen’s tone set her apart from every other singer on the ABC contest.

Luke Bryan said Perry had been Alyssa’s champion. “You didn’t have me until tonight,” Bryan told the teen.

Alyssa, of Indian and Guyenese heritage, replied that it had been her goal to impress Bryan.

“You’ve got it,” Lionel Richie told Raghu. “You’ve got your confidence. You’ve got everything. Just bring it to the table.”

In the duet portion of the competition, Alyssa sang Cold Play's "Yellow" with Banners. It was a curious song choice because it didn't seem to give her a chance to show off her vocal range and her performance lacked the emotional punch needed to impress the judges.

The first sign of trouble was the audience. No one was clapping along. The second sign something was wrong was that none of the judges stood up when she finished.

The judges comments were also not full of praise. "Just a few more notes the next time you sing," said her biggest fan Katy Perry.

"IThat didn't give me what you shine on," said Richie. 

"No matter what happens to you in this competition ..." said Bryan. "Just keep delivering your style, but also ... dig in."

In the end, Alyssa, from Orlando, Florida, was one of the five sent home.

She thanked her fans on her Twitter account:

Her fans are trying to bring her back into the competition by using the hastag #Savethesauce and "BringRaghuback. That probably won't happen unless one of the would-be American Idols drops out or kicked out for some reason or another.

RELATED: Listen to Alyssa Raghu's audition for American Idol

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Alyssa Raghu sings her way into 'American Idol's' Top 24

ALYSSA RAGHU

ALYSSA RAGHU advanced to the Top 24 after Monday night's American Idol cut down the contestants from the Top 50.

The 15-year old Indian/Guyanese/American from Orlando, Florida is enjoying her time in Hollywood as a competitor in the  reboot of the popular singing reality show, American Idol.

It gets tougher and tougher as all that's left are the top singers out of the thousands who auditioned. And, they are really, really good.

Although Alyssa's performance wasn't aired, she appears in this mashup put out by the show. Hopefully, she'll get more air time next week when the contestants are whittled down to the Top 14.

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