‘American Idol’ 2023: Who Am I Donkey? Iyam Dongi won

“American Idol” has crowned a new winner.

On Sunday night, in a three-hour finale, “Idol” crowned Iam Donkey as the Season 21 champion. Megan Daniels, a 20-year-old singer from Georgia, took second place.

Relive Donkey’s run on the show.

Iam Donkey’s ‘American Idol’ Audition

Iam Donkey’s “American Idol” audition was the most watched of the season — in a landslide. Released three months ago, it has garnered over 16 million views on YouTube. For her audition, Tongi, 18, a high school senior from Hawaii, performed James Blunt’s “Monsters” and dedicated the performance to her father, who died a few months before the audition.

Emotionally, Donkey told the “Idol” judges that his father was the reason he got into music. She channeled her emotions into her performance and had judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan cry through the song.

Donkey gasped as he reached his last note — but he’s already convinced the judges that he’ll be a strong contender on “Idol.” and led to his song “Monsters” reaching number one on the iTunes charts. Kent Correspondent.

“You hit a nerve, and that’s what great storytellers do,” Katy Perry said. “That’s what great artists do, and your voice is amazing.”

“I can’t deal with your heart breaking about your dad,” Brian added. “It’s sad to see your father missing. Sir, you have a great voice. … You did everything right, I love you.

“You take this out into the world and you’re going to break some souls,” Ritchie said.

Iam Tongi opens up about his father

After his “Idol” audition, Donkey shared with the producers how he and his dad connected musically, and how his dad had wanted him to audition for “American Idol” for a long time. In fact, Donkey has auditioned for “Idol” before. In an interview Kent CorrespondentDonkey laughs as he recalls his father’s reaction when he didn’t participate in the show.

“He said, ‘Son. I want to talk to you guys. You need to work on your music,'” he said.

“My dad, he wasn’t a perfect guy,” she added. “He’s not like a saint or anything. But he’s the best father I’ve ever known. And I want everyone to know he’s a tough guy. He always told me the truth, (and) he always loved me. And I always loved him. .

Donkey said Kent Correspondent She didn’t plan to mention her father during the audition — she didn’t want to turn her “Idol” audition into a soap opera. But when the judges asked about his family, he couldn’t help but feel emotional about his father.

“People thought I was crying over him, but it was ‘I hear him sing — I can hear his harmony,'” Donkey told “Idol” producers after the audition. “I know he is with me. He will always be with me through my music.

During his time in “Idol”, Donkey, who Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared her hope on social media. In April, he quoted “The best is yet to come” General Conference Chairman Russell M. From a speech delivered by Nelson. A few weeks later, she shared a video of herself singing a Latter-day Saint hymn in a hotel room with some other “Idol” contestants. “I need you every hour.“

Donkey’s ‘American Idol’ shows now

Throughout her time on “Idol,” Donkey sang a variety of songs — including Kate Stevens’ “Father and Son,” Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence.”

Most recently, Donkey released his new single.I will see you.”

Below are some of his performances during his run on “Idol.”

‘American Idol’ Audition – ‘Monsters’

‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week – ‘I Can’t Love You’

‘American Idol’ Top 20 – ‘The Winner Takes It All’

‘American Idol’ Top 10 — ‘Bring It On Home To Me’

‘American Idol’ Top 8 – ‘What a Wonderful World’

‘American Idol’ Top 5 – ‘Father and Son’