
Iam Tongi (born on September 1, 2004) hails from Hawaii and is known for being a TV personality, as well as a singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence after his appearance on American Idol 2023, ultimately emerging as the winner of the 21st season of the popular American singing competition.
Quick Facts
| Real name | William Tongi |
| Nickname | Iam |
| Profession | TV personality, singer, and songwriter |
| Age | 19 [as of 2024] |
| Date of Birth | 1 September 2004 |
| Birthplace | Kahuku, Hawaii |
| Hometown | Seattle, WA |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| College | Didn’t attend yet |
| Hobbies | Playing ukulele |
| Famous For | Winning American Idol Season 21 |
Iam Tongi Biography
Iam Tongi, born in Kahuku, Hawaii, on September 1, is a Virgo and is set to graduate from Decatur High School later this year.
Iam Tong’s Family
Tongi comes from a Christian American family with Tongan, Samoan, and Irish ancestry. After spending his early years in Kahuku, his family later relocated to Seattle.
His parents are Rodney Guy and Lillie Rodney Tongi. Unfortunately, information about their occupations is not available. Tragically, William’s father, Rodney, passed away about a year before his participation in American Idol. His father played a significant role in nurturing his musical talent. He has two brothers and two sisters – LeRod, Sitaleki, Jeniffer, and Cassandra. While he has mentioned them on his social media, further details remain undisclosed.
Tongi’s Age, Height, and Weight
As of 2024, Tongi is 19 years old and stands at 5 feet 7 inches, weighing approximately 120 kg (265 lbs). He has dark brown eyes, black hair, and a shoe size of 9 (US).

Career
At the age of 11, Iam Tongi began learning to play the ukulele, with guidance from his fifth-grade teacher. Despite initial difficulties, he eventually mastered the instrument and started composing his own songs.
In late 2020, he released his debut single “Dreams,” followed by a hiatus until March 2023 when he made a comeback with “Efiafi,” a single in collaboration with Manatau Tuifua. Notably, this collaboration was with his uncle, who always supported him in various auditions. He has also released other singles including “Gone,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Trust Me,” with his most recent single titled “I’ll Be Seeing You.” “Dreams” currently stands as his most popular song with nearly 400k Spotify streams.
His journey on American Idol began with an audition in New Orleans where he performed James Blunt’s “Monster,” impressing the judges and advancing to the Hollywood Round. His consistent performances led him to the finals, where he delivered three different songs, ultimately being crowned the winner, making him the first Hawaiian to achieve this honor.
Tongi’s Net Worth
Iam Tongi’s net worth is estimated at $450,000. With music being his primary source of income, he aspires to ascend as a prominent music artist, releasing new music, and performing for larger audiences. As the winner of American Idol 2023, he is expected to receive $250,000 in prize money along with a recording contract from Hollywood Records or 19 Recordings.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAr7vWp6CgnaKerm%2B6xmigmqVdqbyvs8hmmKCdXay2rLWMp5ytZaekv7W0jKmYq52eqcBus8iro5%2BqmZq7pXs%3D