American Idol Alum Iam Tongi Details 115-Pound Weight Loss Transformation (2025)

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For Iam Tongi, the last few years have been a roller coaster ride.

Since beating out fellow finalists Megan Danielle and Colin Stough as the season 21 winner of American Idol in 2023, the Hawaiian native has been seeing a lot of change in his life—including the beginning of his weight loss journey.

“I've lost 115 pounds,” Iam told People during a May 17 interview. “It feels amazing. I feel great.”

And when it comes to how the 20-year-old has been approaching “working on myself” and “trying to stay healthy,” he shared a bit of insight into his typical fitness routine with a personal trainer.

“We have a workout session maybe around 11, come back [home], and we go to anice bathor sauna,” the singer explained. “And then we come back, shower and go on a walk.”

“I moved out to Memphis,” he continued, “so I've been working out, writing, recording, and just been busy—but in a different way.”

readAmerican Idol Season 23 Winner Revealed

Indeed, the “Sunshine” artist teased that, along with recording a song for Disney’s new live-action movie, he has been channeling a lot of his energy into cooking up some new music.

“I'm working on an album,” he said, “so I'm excited about that, and we'll see how that goes. I’m inspired by a lot of soul. I love Al Green. Al Green is one of my favorite singers, so I'm excited for that [single].”

But while he has been creating a new life and finding inspiration in Tennessee, Iam made it clear that he will always make time to visit his friends and family back in Hawaii.

“It’s a great feeling to go home and just see the people,” he gushed, “and see them be excited when they see me. It's such a good feeling. It's a cool feeling.”

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In fact, moments after winning his season of American Idol two years ago—Jamal Robertswon season 23 on May 18—Iam said that the first thing he planned to do was “Go out and hang out with my family.”

And earlier on in the finale, he paid a tearful tribute to his late father Rodney in an emotional duet of “Monsters” with James Blunt.

"He grabbed my arm, that made me cry even more," Iam told E! News of James after their performance. “I'm so glad he came out and sang. His voice is so insane. It sounds like heartbreak when he sings, you know what I mean? And that's what I love about his voice, and he's such a nice guy. So for him to come out and sing with me is amazing."

To catch up with more American Idol alums, keep reading.

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