‘American Idol’ champ Iam Tongi reveals his feelings about rigging accusations

nypost.com:

first Pacific Islander to win “American Idol,” isn’t fazed by the rigging accusations that accompanied Sunday’s triumph — in fact, he said he “loves it.”“A lot of people are like, ‘Colin Stough was robbed,’ or whatever.

And I just love it,” Tongi, 18, told the Daily Mail.Tongi, of Samoan and Tongan heritage, reigned victorious in the 21st season finale, beating out Stough, 18, and Megan Danielle, 20, but his win baffled fans who claimed the singing competition was “rigged.”Instead of letting haters get to him, he throws a “like” to critics’ social media posts, explaining he just has to “let those things happen.”“I am guilty for liking it,” he admitted. “But look, [my] music’s not for everyone.

And I have to learn that the hard way.”He inherited his optimistic outlook from his late father, Rodney, who passed away in 2021 before “Idol” auditions began.“My dad always told me that your music’s not meant for everyone.

There’s going to be people that are not going to like it and that’s OK, that’s normal,” he added. “Everyone gets their own opinion.