Who Was Rodney Tongi?
Rodney Tongi was the father of Iam Tongi, the 18-year-old Hawaii native who won Season 21 of American Idol on May 21, 2024. Rodney was a musician and a singer who inspired his son to pursue his passion for music. He often sang with Iam and recorded videos of their duets, which have since gone viral on YouTube.
Rodney was born on July 31, 1971 and passed away on December 28, 2021 at the age of 50. He suffered from kidney failure and had to undergo dialysis for several years. He was surrounded by his family and friends who prayed for him and sang his favorite songs at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, where he died. His funeral service was held on January 8, 2022 at the Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac. He was buried in the Garden of Prayer section of the cemetery. (according to ducatisuite.com)
How Did Rodney Tongi Influence Iam Tongi’s Music Career?
Rodney Tongi was the one who got Iam Tongi into music. He taught him how to play the guitar, the ukulele, and the piano. He also helped him memorize songs and harmonize with him. He had high expectations for his son and encouraged him to practice and work on his music. He believed that Iam had a gift and a destiny to share his voice with the world.
Iam Tongi auditioned for American Idol twice. The first time, he did not make it through the virtual rounds to sing for the judges. His dad urged him to try again and not give up on his dream. The second time, he impressed the judges with his emotional rendition of “Monsters” by James Blunt, a song about a son saying goodbye to his dad. He dedicated the song to his father, who had passed away a few months before the audition. He did not want his journey to be seen as a sob story, but as a tribute to his dad. (according to wikipedia.org)
Throughout the competition, Iam Tongi often spoke of how his dad inspired him and how much his death impacted him. He said that his dad was always with him in spirit and that he felt his presence every time he sang. He also said that his dad had a vision for him, which he revealed in a recent interview with Hawaii News Now’s Muthaship podcast. He said, “The day before he went to the hospital, he sat me down and he asked me, he told me, like, ‘Son, you can be like … we can travel the world and see everywhere together.’ This is the day before he went to the hospital! And I was like, dang.” (according to heavy.com)
Iam Tongi fulfilled his dad’s vision by winning American Idol and becoming a global sensation. He said that he felt like they had achieved his dad’s vision together and that he was grateful for his dad’s love and support. He also said that he wanted to honor his dad’s legacy by making music that would touch people’s hearts and inspire them to follow their dreams.
How Did Rodney Tongi’s Death Affect Iam Tongi’s Faith and Family?
Rodney Tongi’s death was a devastating loss for Iam Tongi and his family. Iam Tongi is the youngest of six children and has four sisters and one brother. His mother, Lani, is a nurse and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His family is very close and supportive of each other.
Iam Tongi said that his faith and his family helped him cope with his grief and gave him strength and hope. He said that he believed that his dad was in a better place and that they would see each other again someday. He also said that he felt his dad’s love and guidance through his family and his church. He said that his family prayed for him and cheered for him throughout his American Idol journey. He also said that his church leaders and members supported him and congratulated him on his win. He said that he was proud to be a member of the church and that he wanted to use his platform to share his faith and his testimony. (according to thechurchnews.com)
Iam Tongi also said that his dad’s death taught him to appreciate life and to live every moment to the fullest. He said that he learned to be grateful for everything he had and to not take anything for granted. He said that he wanted to make his dad proud and to make the most of his opportunities. He said that he hoped to inspire others to do the same and to never give up on their dreams. He said that he believed that his dad was watching over him and cheering for him from heaven. He said that he loved his dad and that he missed him every day.