Last night the Tongan Tourism staff were quick to send an invite to Tongi via Facebook.
It said: “Congratulations Iam Tongi, American Idol 2023!
“Tonga Tourism invites you to join us at this year’s Heilala Festival 2023 here in Tonga! 🇹🇴
“Who wants to see our American Idol perform Live in Tonga? 💁♂️💁♀️
Yessaaahhh!”
“#AmericanIdol2023 #12 #IamTongi #Heilala2023″
Hundreds took to the Tonga Tourism post to show their support and thousands of Tongans globally took to social media to celebrate Tongi’s victory - the first Pacific Islander to win this massive singing competition.
On his Facebook page, Iam Tongi said: “I am a musician of Tongan/Samoan/Irish decent but born and raised in the North Shore of Oahu Hawaii in Kahuku. I bleed red always.” referring to the Red of Tonga.