REACTION: Iam Tongi Fights Back Tears While Singing "I Can't Make You Love Me" - American Idol 2023 

Honestly, this young man’s voice is otherworldly to me. I cannot explain what hearing him singing does to my spirit, he is uplifting and soulful and he delivers the lyrics in a way I’ve never really heard before. I like a lot of international musicians, but this guy is just so unique I love it 😍

I've been a fan since the first time he performed I can't get enough

Singing for an audience of one. No other words necessary or needed.😇

As a polynesian I appreciate your channel so much. Thank you for sharing your reactions with the world.

The crowd is in such awe and so involved with this kid it's actually amazing

Yeah i agree with you he is singing for his family and for himself and its awesome ❤❤❤

Right 😊 Let IAM be who he is. That’s his sweet spot and the IAM that we LOVE ❤❤❤ I don’t know what I love the most; him or his music? 😊

Some people can sing really good… super technical… other people make you feel the music… that’s what he does… it has conviction which a lot of super trained singers don’t have

He is so soul. His voice melts

Love him❤❤ I hope he wins!!

I just looooooooooooooooove Iam!!!! He reminds me of my baby sooooooo much. Such a sweet humble kid. I know his Daddy is smiiiiiiiiiiling down on him. I cry and pray for him every time he sings……. Iam….. you are our baby!!!! We are all cheering for you❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ His voice is heavenly!!!!

Iam is angelic. So many emotions. So soothing.

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU!!! Everything you said is what is in my head and heart. AMEN brutha 🙏🏽🙏🏽

Iam is just the best. I have watched almost all of the RU-vid videos with him, and his Father. It just tears me up. He has such a good voice, huge heart, and is a real presence on stage.

His voice brings tears to my eyes everytime he sing

I agree I love how he feels heart and soul in his songs, I don’t care eyes closed or open. I feel his songs. They bring tears and chills and all the emotions I want when I hear music. He is beyond amazing.

I love your heart & your channel! Thank you for being real & for sharing our polynesian strength to the world on your platform!

Nothing but LOVE for Iam!! Mahalo for sharing!

I wish him nothing but the best in life. His voice is unbelievable you feel every emotion when sings

Iam is pure heart! Thank you for supporting him!

Chills watching him sing. Reminds me of my dad who always jammed out with his guitar and sang anytime we got the family together 13 years since he passed and still hear him singing… let’s Fkn goooo Iam!! Much love from your Hawaiian braddah ~ Kan!

Thank You for helping clarify this situation. Iam doesn’t deserve this. This impersonator has no shame.

Thank you for your reactions and your comments. I love watching your reaction videos - stay amazing brother! Uso is Samoan for brother - stay golden Uso

You’re right 💯 Iam is a spiritual and soulful singer, closing his eyes adds to that. Besides James Blunt did that song singing to a father who was still alive at the time. Iam’s father had already passed so he was singing it with a lot of pain and grief. If closing his eyes helps him get through the song then so be it. He’s an awesome singer….sweetness to the soul. I love this humble man who’s got a voice like velvet. I wish him well and every success that comes his way he sure deserves it ♥️

It's almost the same thing when someone tells you to smile but they don't know that at that moment someone you love has just died

It helps him stay focused from within, undistracted. It's a very spiritual way to sing. This boy was meant to sing.

You are right about closing your eyes while singing…I agree with you, gotta feel that emotion! Love your reaction to all Iams videos and auditions! Thank you for sharing!👍🏼🙏🏽♥️🥰

I hope the industry doesn’t misguide him and chew him up, he should be in the country lane. His voice perfectly suits those type of songs

Of course when you are in that inspirational vibe closing your eyes will just take you to whole other place. #TeamIamTongi🤙🏽💯

I am also I love with him. Thank you for having his back. Seen he doesn’t have a dad.. Your a good man and I’m so glad I found your channel..❤

damn man what a great young man with a beautiful story it gets to me every single time i watch it

When Teddy Swims sang that song too he was closing his eyes. Man this kid has a powerful beautiful voice.

One thing to have the talent, and some people are taught...but William just makes you feel NICE, one of those voice you cannot get tired of listening to...He is a winner, win or loose, you got this kiddo...so many people are watching AM this season cause of you. PURE...

Everytime I hear him sing it makes me cry he puts love and heart it to the songs he sings hope he wins it

I watch you all the time and when you cry I cry with you because I feel the same way when we watch Iam sing , I love Iam and we all here in Hawaii voiting for him and cheering him on! God bless you my brother always! Shout out to Iam and his family's ❤🎉❤

I love this man‼️I can't even watch him without crying 😢 because he stirs up all these emotions inside of me.🤗 I hope he goes all the way and wins this thing. He definitely deserves it. You got my vote my friend ❤ No doubt about it...

From the first note, I cried rivers of tears; but immediately I realized: he won, hes a huge star, and his family can move back to Hawaii.

This song❤️❤️❤️ when he sang this song it did make us all love him even more he just gets better and better. Although I didn’t feel like he was 100% plugged in to the last performance of wonderful world but me personally I thought he did a great job. Excellent! I can’t wait to hear what he sings this coming week. Like I’ve said 100 times before he is the entire reason why I watch the show. I am so invested in this kid succeeding and winning. Or just making a record even if he doesn’t win because look at Jennifer Hudson she got cut when she was number seven. And she is amazing and went on to succeed beyond just Winning first place because she didn’t look at her now shine like a star

I am so happy that you posted this! Thank you... I am definitely going to support him! He will get all of my votes for sure! I just love him! I love his voice! I love the way that he loved his father and how he can hear his dads harmony is so special! I think that if hes feeling it and it causes him to close his eyes! Then he should close his sweet eyes!

Thank you for bringing Iam on your channel. I agree on keeping his eyes closed. He brings true feeling into his songs.

Thank You for that. IAM brought tears to my eyes again. It was memorizing, wanted him to keep singing. He’s gonna be on again tonight. Can’t wait

I've reported the fake pages a couple of times and made sure I have subscribed to the real one. I hope the person doing this pays for this. I have a hard time deciding between Iam and Cam. They both MEAN what they're singing. They're both singing their hearts out. They are both exceptional people, human, caring, deserving. I just can't decide yet. My heart goes to both of them. It was good to see you both laughing and crying on this one. I knew you'd love it. You made it even better by finding the full version to share, so thanks for that.

I so agree with your take on 'opening his eyes'........ good grief--his voice, & his emotions are what 's important to the song....he soooooooo reminds me of IZ... who's velvet voice was so spectacular also....I love Iam because he is so humble, & so ahead of his tender age of 18!!......

LOVE your reaction and your spirit! Instant subscribe!

I could listen to him 24/7

You are totally on point 100%. My votes are all for Iam.

I so agree with you about looking into someone's eyes when you're singing a heart-felt song. I love your perspective ❤

Iam’s voice is pure love ❤️ ❤❤❤❤❤❤

I am glad to see I am not the only one that falls under a spell when he sings. I watched you do it too!! His voice is just special. That's all you can really say. Original, unique. His guitar style is also original and unique. Iam Tongi is nothing short of a magician. I had already reported the fake account before I saw this video. How awful for someone to try to make a come-up off such a beautiful soul. May Rodney rest in eternal peace. He did a great job with his son.

He closes his eyes because he is he's leaving and going into his own space. He's no longer standing there in front of you. he has gone into his own world. That's what makes it so special, you are literally watching him astral project away.

Can feels this kids spirit or wairua when he sings so beautifully authentic and powerful, Gets you in our feels, love him just wanna give him a massive hug. Kia Ora bro. Nice reaction.

I subscribed brother to the real account. I have to tell you , I have watched so many reaction videos. It makes me cry every time. You have broken me!!!

Thank you for pointing out the fake channel. I was liking, commenting, and sharing the videos from that one along with his wtongi sm, but I stopped when I saw Iam's post about the imposter, who changed it to his real name and is now back to using Iam's name illegally. I totally agree with your reaction. And I did share your first reaction to Iam's audition with the videos with his father, and that went viral. It probably has more views than any other reaction. I think some channel creators are doing almost-nothing reactions on the audition now because they know they will get a lot of views and maybe comments. Many of them clearly never watch or ever watched American Idol and some of them don't even know who the judges are. So many people (not including honest reviewers like you) are trying to take advantage of this talented young man (still a high school student!), and I hope he can get some good legal and business guidance or representation soon to protect him and his music.

Thank you for posting these videos! Voting for Iam he definitely special not that the others isn’t but I’m from Hawaii and he brings us back home! Truly love this man! I’m sure his dad is shining down on him from heaven !

Iam tongi is my favorite too.. love him

I had to suscribe to your page. What you feeling and thinking about how Iam does to our soul is unimaginable. Thank you!! Let’s go Iam!!

I hope people don’t try to separate the music from the deep emotional state of his soul! This music as it flows genuinely from the heart is why it is so effective at touching our hearts and moving us. Unfortunately once the recording studios diminish these precious virgin home recorded sounds Iam will be singing with added technical influences, it just won’t have the impact as these virgin videos, but will always love him!!

I totally disagree with telling him to change in any way whatsoever!! He’s perfect just the way he is. I love him and my every vote will be for him. ❤️

I agree with you 100%.... I don't mind when singers close their eyes.... I do it myself.... and this kid here..... Such beauty..... He's the real deal! Great video.... Well done.

Hello!!! Go Iam ❤️❤️❤️

this song was Fantasia audition song. the reason i remember is because its one of my favorites plus you just said her name. after she sang it i knew she had the competition wrapped up.

Iam all the way that young man can really take you to places without moving. Emotions

Daaammm his voice is so precious ❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢

My man love your support of Iam your insight is heart ♥️ felt…love man keep it going.

Iam tongi is very talented and bless by the Lord are God from above. With out doubt, I love this young man hope he wins. God bless you all you do!!!

im glad you're posting about IAm, i have the exact feelings about him im totally blown away about this guy he made me cry too.

Reminds me of Israel another Hawaiian that blew people's minds with music and heart. Beautiful souls like this are meant to be cherished.

Cant wait for more

Bro we love your REACTIONS Brotha 🤍

I agree with closing his eyes. He feels it and we feel it with him.

Just beautiful, wish you all the best IAM… you got this… Aloha 🤙

The young man Iam is sublime. God-given.

Tt à fais d accord avc ce que vs dite monsieur ,il est authentique et je le soutien à 1000 ,et merci pour votre réaction et vos dire tellement vrai ❤.

I agree, who cares if a singer closes their eyes. If I can feel their heart, soul and feelings; I don’t need for them to look at me. In fact, I like to listen to music laying down with my eyes closed. Idk, if he’ll win, but it doesn’t matter he will be a star because he hits you more than in your ears.

I prefer to see him sing in whatever way he needs to, really… Like, I think he FEELS IT more when he can close his eyes and get into it. And watching him lose himself in the music is just as entertaining as seeing their eyes. I truly believe he is our American Idol this season, and his coach had no real critiques so the guy just made some crap up so he looked like he was doing his job 😅

People are always trying to steal your identity fake accounts claiming to be him he’s so deserving a great 👍 singer 👨‍🎤

Hey bro just want to say what and awesome and genuine reaction to this blessed man. I agree with you he feels all the emotions when his eyes are shut 👌🏽

Man bro that burns me up people doing this to him because I really love this kid I hope he get it all

Your teeth are absolutely gorgeous! I love how you appreciate and love Iam.

Bruh you have the best energy of any react vids I've seen

Genuine reaction brother. One love from Hawaii.

Beautiful soul So much love to give

Gained a follower here. I can see your admiration for this young man and sharing that emotion is awesome

I agree. However he choses to sing I support him. Iam is gifted, I am so grateful to be able to hear and listen to Iam

Wow! He just takes my heart makes me feel so much and he does it with so much tenderness and care …

I agree with you Let him close his eyes as you said, who’s that singing for us it’s just a young kid who loves his family and misses his dad. Let him sing the way he wants to he is so real, and I have fallen in love with him at 90 years old. How about that? I love it. I do hope he will go far and always be himself.

He will win American idol 100% hands down

He’s beyond good,heavenly almost! Reminds me of Iz !

For my Brother Tongi much Love my Brother and you can always hear that Polynesian melody..Polynesian are use to these melodies because we seat around with family every afternoon jamming with families🥰🥰much Love from Melanesian Brother from Fiji🥰🥰

I honestly love the way that he sings all of the songs with his dad when he was around just saying that now ok

Thank you! We need to show up for Iam! He's amazing and his voice❤️❤️❤️. I agree people are connecting with Iam rather he has his eyes closed or open. He sings with his heart and we all feel it. Such a phenomenal young man.🥰❤️❤️❤️

Wow just discovered iam what a voice and thank you sir for highlighting this talent i haven't heard before as im in London England great video and felt the emotion much respect

Iam, is like the mini-me version of Braddah IZ... #Proud2bPolynesia 🌺~.~

If he doesn't win this will be the end of American Idol... Ruben Studdard totally agrees and Lionel Richie is crying Yes Yes YES. His Father is very proud looking down from heaven.❤

From Indonesia, I love him, GBU Iam.🙏

Iam Tongi has his Own Style: He has done No Wrong and it's a part of how he Fractures our Soul...SING TONGI SING! deb in TongiVille (yes, I made this up and it's a sign of Respect: He opened my Soul and I stepped into His Arena🤗), SC🎸🎶🎵🎶 04/18/2023😎

Facts! He is AMAZING

Could listen to him for hours❤

Submitted a report. Much love for Iam Tongi and his family from Samoa❤💯

I love your reaction/reviews .. Your truly a special person..