Iam Tongi, “American Idol” Winner, Explains Why He Didn’t Take Off His Hat While Singing The National Anthem

Jul 16, 2023

Iam Tongi is no stranger to big performances. The 18-year-old high schooler became the 21st American Idol on May 21, 2023, making him the first Hawaiian to win the competition. Tongi won against Megan Danielle and Colin Stough, breaking the three-year streak of country winners winning the competition. Interestingly, the runners-up were country singers too. 

Tongi captured the judges’ hearts from his audition after he sang “Monsters” by James Blunt and dedicated it to his late dad. The judges found that Tongi’s dad died from stage four kidney disease just a few months before he showed up for his audition. 

Tongi’s vocal dexterity, passion, and humility endeared him to audiences online as he soon gained a huge fanbase. The singer had a great run while on the show, and there were numerous predictions that he would either win or be a runner-up in the competition. His ability to manage the crowd well won several fans over to his side. 

Although there were a few protests online after Tongi took the crown, many fans of the competition were happy that he won. For his final performance, Tongi sang the same song he performed for his audition but in a much-improved way. 

A few months after his victory, Tongi made the news recently when he apologized for his oversight while singing the national anthem at the Seattle Mariners T-Mobile Field for the MLB’s 2023 All-Star Home Run Derby held on July 10, 2023. The musician didn’t take off his hat while performing, so he took to social media on July 11, 2023, to explain what happened. Read on to find out what he said. 

Tongi was at T-Mobile Field in Seattle for the MLB’s 2023 All-Star Home Run Derby, where he was scheduled to sing the national anthem before the MLB players hit the field to play. The huge crowd at the stadium rose to their feet and removed their headgear as the 18-year-old started singing.

Tongi delivered a beautiful rendition of the anthem but didn’t realize something was amiss until he was done. The “American Idol” winner performed the song with his baseball hat on his head. 

After his performance, Tongi apologized for the mistake on June 11, 2023, using his YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram handles. 

“Tens of thousands of people. I walk out and my uncle reminds me to remove my hat before I start singing. I remember,” he wrote on Twitter. A few seconds later the nerves took in and [I] didn’t remember until it was all done.”

Although that wasn’t Tongi’s first time performing before a crowd, it was his biggest crowd yet. Little wonder why nerves set in. The big singer further explained why the nerves took over on his YouTube channel. 

He wrote in the video’s description box:

“First try at singing the National Anthem. So nervous that it was in front of such a huge crowd. And apologize for being so nervous and forgot to take off the hat.”

Thankfully, fans understood and accepted his apology. Some even claimed that they didn’t notice the hat until his apology. 

“wow, it’s funny I didn’t even notice because you did such a great job. ✌🏻🇺🇲👍🏻 and you apologized... who does that anymore.. your father raised you right.👍🏻🙏🏻,” a fan responded to his apology on Instagram. 

What do you think of Iam Tongi’s mistake and apology? What do you think of the fan’s comments? Have you ever had a case of nerves? What happened, and how did you overcome it? Let us know — and pass this article on to friends, family members, and fellow “American Idol” and “Iam Tongi” fans!