After another successful week on “American Idol,” Decatur High School student Iam Tongi has advanced — this time to the Top 26.
The 18-year-old singer, originally from Kahuku, Oahu, will return to Hawaii for the next round of the competition when the show next premieres. His performance of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” earned tears from the judges during the most recent “showstopper” round.
The competition is now more than halfway over.
It began last summer with auditions and tryouts across the United States. Tongi first became a hit with the public during the initial judge audition rounds, where he sang “Monsters” by James Blunt. He and dozens of other competitors earned a golden ticket to compete and further hone his craft in Hollywood.
The last few weeks have seen him and the other contestants go through audition phases, including a duet performance.
Ordinarily, two dozen competitors advance to the Top 24 each season. The judges admitted two more than normal this year, thus forming the Top 26.
Next, Tongi and the other 25 competitors are off to Hawaii to further compete and improve their performance skills.
The show wraps up in late May. “American Idol” next airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC, and can be streamed on Hulu.
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