Iam Tongi: The American Idol Winner That Broke and Stole Everyone’s Heart

Iam Tongi: The American Idol Winner That Broke and Stole Everyone’s Heart

Author: Nashville Podcast Network June 16, 2025 Duration: 1:08:22

Iam Tongi is the Hawaiian kid who broke everyone on American Idol Season 23. He showed up heartbroken—his dad had just passed 3 months before. Music was always their thing. He almost quit completely. But his mom secretly signed him up for Idol anyway.

Then he sang “Monsters”… and the world felt it. That was the moment. He won Season 23, but losing his dad forced him to find his own voice, live, on television. When his guitar broke during Hollywood Week, he knew—this was his dad telling him he could do it on his own. 

Now? He just dropped “Unbreak My Heart,” plus “Sunshine” that he wrote for his mom, performed at the Opry, CMA Fest, even has a track in Lilo & Stitch, plus an album in the works… All while losing 110 pounds, still grieving, still growing—and singing from a place only he can. Iam Tongi is a true inspiration, lifting hearts around the world with his voice and story.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Caroline Hobby has lived a life in the spotlight, from competing on The Amazing Race to hosting from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and she’s learned that real connection happens off-script. On Get Real with Caroline Hobby, she leans into that truth, creating a space where guarded conversations give way to genuine, life-giving dialogue. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair for a deep talk with a trusted friend, one who isn’t afraid to ask the questions that matter. Produced by the Nashville Podcast Network, this series sits at the intersection of society, culture, and music, drawing from Caroline’s unique world to find universal stories. You’ll hear from a diverse range of voices-artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and everyday people-all sharing their journeys through fear, passion, and the pursuit of something more. The magic of this podcast lies in its ability to make the profound feel accessible, transforming abstract ideas about purpose into tangible, relatable conversations. It’s for anyone who has ever felt a quiet yearning for a different path or wondered how to unlock a bolder version of themselves. Forget polished soundbites; here, you get the unvarnished, heartfelt, and often surprising stories that emerge when people decide to be authentically themselves. Tune in for a weekly dose of clarity and courage, served with a distinctly human touch.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Get Real with Caroline Hobby
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