Emerging victorious in the 21st season of the hit show "American Idol," Iam Tongi, an 18-year-old musician, stole the limelight in Sunday's finale, securing his position over fellow contestants, Colin Stough and Megan Danielle. His self-penned song, "I'll Be Seeing You," paved the way for his win, with Danielle and Stough finishing as runners up.

Here's an exploration of the musical journey of the latest champion of "American Idol," Iam Tongi.

Tongi's first noteworthy appearance on the show was his audition, where he offered a heartfelt tribute to his late father with his original song, "Monsters." This moving performance won him comforting words from judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, who encouraged him to enjoy the journey while asserting that his father would have been proud.

Following his emotive audition, "Monsters" clinched the top spot on the iTunes charts, according to The Kent Reporter. Even before the grand finale, Katy Perry had seemingly foreseen Tongi's success. "He's an undeniable character... It's an it factor. It's like you're born to do this, and it's undeniable," she had opined.

Throughout the course of the show, Tongi consistently wowed audiences with his captivating renditions. His song list included "I Can't Make You Love Me" during Hollywood Week, "The Winner Takes It All" for the top 20 round, "Bring It On Home To Me" in the top 10, followed by "What a Wonderful World" and "Father and Son" during the top 8 and top 5, respectively.

Another feather in his cap was the fact that his audition became the most-watched video of the 2023 season, racking up a staggering 16 million views.

Interestingly, this wasn't Tongi's first shot at the "American Idol." Before his father's passing, Tongi had auditioned for the show but didn't manage to advance to the following round. However, his father's advice to hone his musical skills provided him with the impetus to try again and eventually claim the title.

With his remarkable journey, Iam Tongi has not only won the crown of "American Idol" Season 21 but has also demonstrated that persistence, combined with talent, is the key to success.