American Idol' Shock: Iam Tongi Wins Season 21 in Finale

Image Source: Instagram 'American Idol' Shocker: Iam Tongi Beats Country Crooners To Win Season 21 In Tense Finale

[{"selector":"#anim-7ebc894a-38d5-4023-abda-d6c250015038 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-057e8117-1404-44b8-afb9-1c1810de5896","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d91acb99-670c-4367-9aff-1b1a7e60b912","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram "American Idol" Season 21 delivered another shocking twist in its tense finale.

[{"selector":"#anim-f25d8817-fb7e-4162-8269-145a3b375ffb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e71b2e2-03d5-4bb5-b136-b5225bfbf0b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6b8f8a9-fb43-4f4f-a21f-c2341eebef5c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 186.70036%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The three-hour live broadcast on ABC saw the final three contestants give their last performances to win votes from viewers.

[{"selector":"#anim-be1cb7b9-5598-49a4-bd0b-44e51836617d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d3022c03-d3bb-4adf-a7cc-3f39ba4a62c2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fcb79853-0d79-4c04-bbae-84f64a0209e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie could only offer praise and good wishes as the singers transition to their music careers.

[{"selector":"#anim-5c3b9314-65fd-434c-b0d0-6ea4a9826083 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-491cede1-d4de-4a00-b2ac-cca8c3d2ef06","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58efebd2-6e0e-479c-b5cb-ba1a79ec883b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The final three each sang two songs, one mentored by Keith Urban and another as a tribute to their hometowns.

[{"selector":"#anim-62378533-6457-47d6-bce4-c29462fd2dd7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2070e8a2-d1a1-42a4-9ede-2274b867b9f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb6f99f3-d191-4b68-8eb8-de0ab2375807","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Host Ryan Seacrest revealed the Top 2 contestants who then competed with original songs.

[{"selector":"#anim-13fa24b5-cc9c-46a0-adea-c437d33981bd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c0950b14-fba8-429c-b3f7-44ef87889b17","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c30c365-d604-4f91-8818-76ebe7fe0ec3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Iam Tongi captivated the crowd with Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us."

[{"selector":"#anim-9f655adf-03b7-499b-9e18-f19c77e676ce [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7cc372bd-0593-4ccc-9021-d331b2bfc109","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-984a96e9-d4b2-4513-bc79-4c33ab30429c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Megan Danielle impressed with her rendition of a Journey classic, showcasing her powerful vocals.

[{"selector":"#anim-6e1ed5fe-0624-45b2-9c17-db9bf1872392 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5dbad8f-0fc5-46b4-aaf3-acdb22098ca7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a3cf4dc-22f3-46de-80fd-2060ac3583aa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Colin Stough brought his country charm to a Chris Stapleton hit, leaving the audience swooning.

[{"selector":"#anim-e6ed3a48-933b-4df7-a4f2-b97f13281487 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39d13b35-40ea-4d51-8412-669b492d56dd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-413c19d9-7255-481e-b6bb-635d8d43b982","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Danielle started the show with Urban's "God Whispered Your Name," drawing from her religious roots.

[{"selector":"#anim-5d9f6494-08ec-4bdd-8c5d-679fbfb3aa46 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f123c972-605a-4142-8c6a-383031f0fbf7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02c09fc1-70fd-4646-9d85-1185be8a5fd9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The judges praised Danielle's singing voice, with Lionel Richie noting her unique "cry."

[{"selector":"#anim-a6346efc-a5cb-47f6-9098-18f143fd8d66 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4fe4fb91-b803-4e53-a336-c50037937d69","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7db33d8c-1120-49f1-9872-80cd41c4ef58","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Tongi received overwhelming support from the crowd after his soulful performance.

[{"selector":"#anim-0848bea9-865d-445b-b0e5-35cbcd5f9dcf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da6b2637-a7b6-4502-99e1-e94cb4d08300","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc9c04b2-2efe-4ba2-9f82-61e1b33ff65a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Bryan described Tongi's talent as a natural gift from God.

[{"selector":"#anim-1818dad6-481f-4adf-b79c-65eb0f9d3b63 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2dcdc9f8-8f6f-495d-9150-164bc05882b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b0de4e1-41b2-46b4-8dfe-d508c6b52b5a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Danielle returned with a powerful rendition of Journey's "Faithfully," leaving Perry in tears.

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[{"selector":"#anim-2a4877ff-1a7f-4739-85b1-8834c7a6967f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-692f1ef1-6764-445f-ae60-593a735a2bfa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28c282e8-b8d2-4dc7-a742-382bf2de268a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Tongi dedicated his performance of "Cool Down" to his hometown of Kahuku, Hawaii, moving the judges.

[{"selector":"#anim-73b3f48c-f832-4b59-9b8d-1d7033bd5f83 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-243e48cc-26b4-4741-9d0b-2b2c3ddf022c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00d10681-46da-463d-9ad0-6dd384559df3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Perry welcomed Tongi to paradise, praising his cultural impact.

[{"selector":"#anim-cc1e6389-70b6-4320-a64b-cb258a9e54ee [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43e5e7bd-ab6d-4baa-bd24-5a9f701bf6f7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-262a191c-9b15-44ee-8dd7-73f4f70f0132","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Stough impressed with his version of Urban's "Stupid Boy," showcasing his artistic growth.

[{"selector":"#anim-31b5a845-f20e-4f29-8104-b98109d1f692 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2781f979-b1d8-4f3c-8962-64d8d80c823f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b2d276c2-f711-438e-b1e4-55f927e77042","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Stough paid tribute to his hometown of Amory, Mississippi, with a heartfelt performance of Stapleton's "Either Way."

[{"selector":"#anim-d1275a76-d91c-4bde-abc4-026c056f4db8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae486686-8b0b-42e0-b016-b24b1d7684ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fdeeeeb6-236e-438b-88f9-a8b2f6878cd8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.21549%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram In a shocking twist, Stough was eliminated, leaving Tongi and Danielle as the final two competitors.

[{"selector":"#anim-9946b7f8-b08a-4f7a-938f-bc6a174908af [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44987a94-b0b1-42ee-ab58-85b558c1fad8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f1d86f37-c207-4867-be13-f2cc21ab6522","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Perry commended the tenderness in Stough's voice, noting his progress since auditions.