'American Idol': Luke Bryan Wipes Away Tears During Singer's Moving Audition Dedicated to Late Dad (Exclusive)
'American Idol': Luke Bryan Tears Up During Emotional Audition i…
'Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie Reacts to Season 2 Ending and Tease…
Nicholas Braun Describes How Succession Cast Felt About Series t…
Billie Eilish Goes Goth Glam at 2023 Met Gala
Beyoncé Surprises Crowd With Blue Ivy Cameo on Stage During Duba…
'1000-Lb. Sisters' Star Tammy Slaton Shows Off Dramatic Weight L…
Tina Turner Dead at 83: Hollywood Mourns the Music Icon
'90 Day Fiancé': Jen Tears Up After Rishi's Mom Says She Too Old…
Lindsay Lohan Is Expecting Her First Child
Taylor Swift Returns to Stage for First Time Since News of Joe A…
Tina Turner, Iconic Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, Dead at 83
Donny Osmond Reacts to First ET Interview and Being Part of Brit…
Why Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour May Surpass Taylor Swift’s Eras T…
Chrishell Stause on ‘Secret’ Wedding and Why ‘Selling Sunset’ Se…
Why Whoopi Goldberg Blames ‘American Idol’ for 'Downfall of Soci…
Chrishell Stause Breaks Down 'Selling Sunset' Drama With Nicole …
'xXx: Return of Xander Cage' Trailer: Vin Diesel Is Back and Bad…
'Vanderpump Rules': How Ariana Madix Envisions Her Life Post-Sca…
On Set for ‘Fuller House’s Emotional Final Day of Filming (Exclu…
American Idol kicks off a new season Sunday, and the premiere episode will tug at your heartstrings.
ET exclusively debuts a first look at one of the contestants, Iam Tongi, hoping to make it to Hollywood. As Iam begins to tell his story to judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, it soon becomes apparent that his audition isn't just any other audition.
The Hawaii native, who moments before was nervously giddy over auditioning before the trio, shared once he entered the room that his father was the one who taught him everything about music.
"He's the reason for all this?" Lionel asked in the clip.
"My dad passed away a couple months ago," Iam revealed, before getting visibly emotional over losing his dad.
When he felt comfortable enough to continue, he told the judges he'll be performing a cover of James Blunt's 2019 song, "Monsters." (Blunt wrote the song as a tribute to his father, who has Stage 4 kidney disease.) And that the performance was dedicated to his late dad.
As Iam began to strum his guitar and sing "Monsters," Lionel, Katy and Luke were all moved by the rendition. Luke was so touched by the heartfelt performance that he wiped away tears with a tissue.
After his audition, Lionel praised Iam for showing his heart and soul through the song.
"Young man, you take this into the world and you're going to fracture some souls. Your dad is very proud," he assured him.
Hopefully, this is a promising start to Iam's American Idol adventure.
American Idol returns Sunday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
RELATED CONTENT:
Ryan Seacrest Teases ‘New Year’s Rockin' Eve’ and ‘American Idol’ 21
Luke Bryan Calls Out 'Idol' Co-Judge Katy Perry Over Thomas Rhett Duet
'American Idol' Alum Gabby Barrett Gives Birth to Baby No. 2
Related Gallery
