American Idol: Iam Tongi sings in front of family and friends in Hawaii as Top 26 performances begin

Iam Tongi loved a homecoming because the Hawaii native sang in entrance of household and pals on Sunday’s episode of American Idol that featured Prime 26 performances.

The 18-year-old singer was the ultimate performer throughout the two-hour episode on ABC and belted out Do not Let Go by Spawnbreezie in entrance of a stay viewers at Disney’s Aulani resort and spa in Kapolei, Hawaii.

Iam, who auditioned in Las Vegas, earlier instructed present mentor Allen Stone, 36, earlier than his efficiency that Do not Let Go was a ‘basic island music’.

‘It jogs my memory of huge childhood reminiscences like strolling across the island barefoot, , with my guitar,’ Iam stated as he recalled impromptu jam periods together with his pals.

Allen instructed Iam that his voice was ‘incomparable’ throughout rehearsal and Iam was proven surrounded by his household and pals.

‘I at all times dreamed about coming to Aulani acting at an enormous stage in entrance of lots of people. This implies loads. It is lots of strain. Like, I can not mess up, ? I really feel like I’ve to make my island proud,’ Iam stated in a confessional.

Iam instantly gained over the pleasant viewers who swayed as he sang and punctuated his efficiency with supportive shouts.

‘Love you, guys. Shout out for my cousins!,’ Iam stated on the finish of the music.

‘You bought a couple of family and friends on the market, and new followers as properly,’ stated present host Ryan Seacrest, 48.

Lionel Richie, 73, was the primary to heap reward on Iam.

‘I feel I had a religious expertise,’ Lionel stated. ‘I have been coming to Hawaii perpetually, and to observe the response of hometown people their hometown hero …I imply, I am telling you, it is one of many best issues I’ve ever witnessed. And congratulations, you’re our first contestant from Hawaii to ever make it up to now.’

Katy Perry, 38, instructed Iam that he was ‘genuine via and thru.’

‘I imply, your voice is like butter. You voice is trip. You simply put all people within the temper. Like, Lionel places everybody within the temper, you place everybody within the temper. …You might be representing your state so properly, and we’re so proud to have you ever on the present,’ Katy stated.

Final performer: The 18-year-old singer was the ultimate performer throughout the two-hour episode on ABC and belted out Do not Let Go by Spawnbreezie in entrance of a stay viewers at Disney’s Aulani resort and spa in Kapolei, Hawaii

The judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan evaluated the expertise in Hawaii

Present mentor: Allen Stone served because the mentor for the primary 13 of the Prime 26 performers

Luke Bryan, 46, instructed Iam that he might really feel and listen to the love.

‘I felt like a lot love, anyone was over right here screaming like I’ve by no means heard anyone scream,’ Luke stated.

Ryan requested Iam what it felt prefer to be performing the place he discovered music from his late father.

‘It is form of loopy proper now. All my folks got here out and help. I say, I really like all you guys. Thanks guys for popping out. It actually means loads to me,’ Iam stated.

The season 21 episode opened with Elise Kristine, 18, of Issaquah, Washington, performing the Bonnie Tyler music Holding Out For a Hero from the soundtrack to the 1984 movie Footloose.

‘That’s the best way to start out the present. You killed it,’ Lionel instructed Elise.

Oliver Steele, 25, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, hit the stage subsequent and carried out the Jack Johnson music Higher Collectively.

‘Option to know your viewers. Option to decide a cool music that has the viewers lean in to who you’re as an artist,’ Katy stated after his efficiency.

Non secular expertise: ‘I feel I had a religious expertise,’ Lionel stated. ‘I have been coming to Hawaii perpetually, and to observe the response of hometown people their hometown hero …I imply, I am telling you, it is one of many best issues I’ve ever witnessed. And congratulations, you’re our first contestant from Hawaii to ever make it up to now’

Buttery voice: ‘I imply, your voice is like butter. You voice is trip. You simply put all people within the temper. Like, Lionel places everybody within the temper, you place everybody within the temper. …You might be representing your state so properly, and we’re so proud to have you ever on the present,’ Katy stated

First up: The season 21 episode opened with Elise Kristine, 18, of Issaquah, Washington, performing the Bonnie Tyler music Holding Out For a Hero

Cool music: Oliver Steele, 25, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, hit the stage subsequent and carried out the Jack Johnson music Higher Collectively

The present additionally included performances by Matt Wilson who sang Speechless by Dan + Shay; Kaeyra who delivered Do not Let Go [Love] by En Vogue and Pjae singing Golden by Jill Scott.

Zachariah Smith, 19, of Amory, Mississippi, thrilled the viewers with a robust rendition of Lucille by Little Richard.

‘You’re loopy! I can’t take my eyes off of you,’ Luke stated after Zachariah’s efficiency.

‘You are loopy proficient,’ Katy stated.

Mariah Religion carried out a raspy rendition of the Chris Stapleton music You Ought to Most likely Depart.

Emma Busse, 20, took on the Sam Smith music Lay Me Down.

‘Emma busts via! You sing all of the hidden colours, the notes we don’t know exist,’ Katy instructed her.

Warren Peay, 24, of Bamberg, South Carolina, threw a curveball by taking up the Adele music Set Fireplace To The Rain.

Killed it: Kaeyra delivered Do not Let Go [Love] by En Vogue

Main curveball: Warren Peay, 24, of Bamberg, South Carolina, threw a curveball by taking up the Adele music Set Fireplace To The Rain

‘The perfect factor about this competitors is once you sing a music we don’t anticipate. Nice job,’ Luke instructed him afterward.

Nailyah Serenity, 22, of Charlotte, North Carolina, confirmed her unbelievable vary together with her cowl of Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton.

‘What was that? I had the pleasure of realizing Minnie when she put that out. It’s unimaginable to enhance with out going to the following stage. You went to the following stage,’ Lionel stated.

The episode additionally featured Haven Madison performing The Center and Lucy Love taking up What’s Love Acquired To Do With It by Tina Turner.

American Idol will return on Monday with the remaining 13 of the Prime 26 performing with Noah Cyrus, 23, serving as their mentor.

Unimaginable vary: Nailyah Serenity, 22, of Charlotte, North Carolina, confirmed her unbelievable vary together with her cowl of Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton