“American Idol” has crowned its newest winner in Hawaii native Iam Tongi, whose victory as the first Aapi winner of the ABC competition still has not fully hit him.
“It’s unreal,” Tongi told TheWrap just two days after Ryan Seacrest announced his name on the big stage. “It’s weird to be here [as] the winner, because … it was going so slow during the competition, but out of nowhere it was finished and I was like ‘that went by so fast.'”
While several Aapi contestants have climbed their way to the top three finalists, including fan-favorite Jasmine Trias of the show’s third installment, Tongi noted that this milestone achievement happening during national Aapi month in May gives the win an even bigger significance, saying “it feels really good to be representing why Polynesian people during this month.”
Originally from Kahuku, a town in O’ahu, Hawaii, Tongi noted...
“It’s unreal,” Tongi told TheWrap just two days after Ryan Seacrest announced his name on the big stage. “It’s weird to be here [as] the winner, because … it was going so slow during the competition, but out of nowhere it was finished and I was like ‘that went by so fast.'”
While several Aapi contestants have climbed their way to the top three finalists, including fan-favorite Jasmine Trias of the show’s third installment, Tongi noted that this milestone achievement happening during national Aapi month in May gives the win an even bigger significance, saying “it feels really good to be representing why Polynesian people during this month.”
Originally from Kahuku, a town in O’ahu, Hawaii, Tongi noted...
- 5/24/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
After a so-so revival last year when ABC took over “American Idol,” most fans are in agreement that the talent on display on Season 17 is a giant leap for singing kind. The show overall seems to be more entertaining. Yes, judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan are never going to be as scathingly funny as Simon Cowell in his snide heyday. But their personalities and musical knowledge complement each other and all three seem quite genuine in their quest to help the contestants to up their games.
Very early in this current edition of the show, the words “best season ever” were uttered. It is all subjective, of course, but with just one more episode and the three-hour finale left, No. 17 could go down in “Idol’ ‘history talent-wise once a winner is crowned. Of course, factoring into that assessment will be the winner’s post-show success as well.
Very early in this current edition of the show, the words “best season ever” were uttered. It is all subjective, of course, but with just one more episode and the three-hour finale left, No. 17 could go down in “Idol’ ‘history talent-wise once a winner is crowned. Of course, factoring into that assessment will be the winner’s post-show success as well.
- 5/11/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
It's time for the "American Idol" Top 10 women (and men tomorrow night). We say it most years, but we'll say it again -- it's a real shame that the Top 10 finalists have to be five from each gender, because this year, we can think of at least six women who should advance and there might even be more depending on how tonight goes.
1. Zoanette Johnson, "What's Love Got to Do With It," Tina Turner
Thank goodness she is performing first, let's get this ridiculousness out of the way right at the start. And then she starts and it turns out she has no idea what the words are. If you vote for her, you are dead to me, readers. Moving on.
The judges really need to stop indulging this brand of crazy. Thankfully, they don't have a say tonight. Keith Urban, who we have come to like as a voice of reason,...
1. Zoanette Johnson, "What's Love Got to Do With It," Tina Turner
Thank goodness she is performing first, let's get this ridiculousness out of the way right at the start. And then she starts and it turns out she has no idea what the words are. If you vote for her, you are dead to me, readers. Moving on.
The judges really need to stop indulging this brand of crazy. Thankfully, they don't have a say tonight. Keith Urban, who we have come to like as a voice of reason,...
- 3/6/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Say what you want about Ryan Seacrest, but dude has impeccable timing. For a brief moment during American Idol‘s Season 11 Top 4 performance telecast, I feared the hardest-working host on TV was about to propose to girlfriend Julianne Hough (and merge the powerful Idol and DWTS royal houses in the process).
But nope, Seacrest was just kidding around — and simultaneously promoting Hough’s new movie, Rock of Ages (so no hard feelings, okay?).
I, for one, was relieved. Not only would popping the question during Idol have been tackier than a Randy Jackson accessory — honestly, dawg has to stop trying...
But nope, Seacrest was just kidding around — and simultaneously promoting Hough’s new movie, Rock of Ages (so no hard feelings, okay?).
I, for one, was relieved. Not only would popping the question during Idol have been tackier than a Randy Jackson accessory — honestly, dawg has to stop trying...
- 5/10/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
There’s this weird part of the week — from Friday morning till Monday evening — when not a single major TV network airs a reality singing competition. It’s terrible, I know, but it also gives me a lot of time to ponder American Idol history. (Everyone does this in their free time, yes?) And my latest flight of Idol fancy got me mulling this question: Was Season 11′s Top 10 the strongest — top to bottom — in show history? Let’s examine:
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
- 3/26/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Last month, while interviewing executive producer Nigel Lythgoe for a story about possible changes to American Idol for its upcoming eleventh season, I proposed the idea that the show should introduce a list of 11 songs that would be banned from the live performance rounds on the grounds that they’ve been done to death in previous seasons. Lythgoe’s response caught me off guard: “Well, Mike, if you want to write down and send me 11 songs that you don’t want to hear again, I will put them through to the committee.”
Well, sir, you don’t have to ask me twice!
Well, sir, you don’t have to ask me twice!
- 9/4/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
The news of Pia “I Got Voted Off ‘Idol’ Way Early And All I Got Was This Awesome Record Deal” Toscano joining Interscope’s roster surprised no one, except maybe my cat Moo Shu. (Homegirl’s a Voice fan. She thinks Idol is so seven years ago.) Toscano already shattered records by being the lowest-placing Idol also-ran to nab a significant major label deal in the show’s ten year history. (She was ninth! Ninth, I say!)
While we wait to see whether Pia becomes the next Jennifer Hudson or Kristy Lee Cook, let’s look back at the careers of previous ninth-place finishers to see how they’ve fared.
Season One: Jim Verraros
Jim was our inaugural “token sob story” contestant, and he parlayed his name recognition into movie roles in popular gay indie flicks. (Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds might be my fave sequel title since Electric Boogaloo.
While we wait to see whether Pia becomes the next Jennifer Hudson or Kristy Lee Cook, let’s look back at the careers of previous ninth-place finishers to see how they’ve fared.
Season One: Jim Verraros
Jim was our inaugural “token sob story” contestant, and he parlayed his name recognition into movie roles in popular gay indie flicks. (Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds might be my fave sequel title since Electric Boogaloo.
- 7/6/2011
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
Tomorrow night marks American Idol’s Top 3 night, that time during which we wave goodbye to the unwelcome third wheel (see ya, Nikki McKibbin!) or the sentimental favorite we were hoping would miraculously end up in the finals (why’d you have to leave, Elliott Yamin?). Come Thursday night, we’ll learn which season 10 Idol joins the ranks of McKibbin and Yamin — and Locke, Trias, Solomon, Doolittle, Mercado, Gokey, and James — but, before then, why not see what previous Idols did right, and very very wrong, during Top 3 night? Which were the best and worst performances on Idol, and how...
- 5/17/2011
- by Kate Ward
- EW.com - PopWatch
The consensus around PopWatch HQ is that Jacob Lusk’s wildly off-pitch, oddly hip-thrusting performance of the Jordin Sparks/Chris Brown duet “No Air” is easily the gospel diva’s worst ever on the show, and possibly one of the worst of the season period. Which is to say, if he doesn’t go home tonight, Lusk will rank alongside Nikki McKibbin and Jasmine Trias as one of the most tenacious how-has-this-person-stuck-around-this-long Idol contestants ever. (Those words are not easy for me to write, either — many of you will recall my defense of the Lusky Stank five weeks ago, back...
- 5/5/2011
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW.com - PopWatch
Randy Jackson, wipe that stunned expression off your stupid face. Jennifer Lopez, mop up your phony, ridiculous tears. And Steven Tyler, go back to bed. (Honestly, dude, you’ve been taking the world’s greatest public nap for the last six weeks — why get invested now?) Because while the three of you sat there Thursday night at the American Idol judges’ table, collecting your seven-figure salaries and expressing your anger over the obscenely premature elimination of the exquisite, talented Pia Toscano, you failed to acknowledge your own culpability in her demise.
Uh-huh. I said it. In the post-Simon Cowell era of Idol,...
Uh-huh. I said it. In the post-Simon Cowell era of Idol,...
- 4/8/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
You can’t teach an old Dawg new vocabulary words, but pretty much everything else on American Idol‘s daft, delightful tenth season is subject to frequent, sometimes thrilling change. On Wednesday night’s Elton John-themed performance telecast, Naima Adedapo and Stefano Langone adopted unexpected and unusual accents. Ryan Seacrest got a daring (unfortunate?) new ‘do, and one contestant was allowed to utter the phrase “hardcore bangage” without so much as a bleep. Heck, even Nigel Lythgoe embraced the mood, putting his favorite punching bag Haley Reinhart in the pimp spot and not dousing her with a bucket of...
- 3/31/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Wednesday night’s episode of American Idol will see the Top 11 dive headlong into the Elton John songbook — alas, those ’80s Night rumors proved to be untrue — and I’d say it’s even-money that somebody’s going to follow in the footsteps of Bo Bice, David Archuleta, Justin Guarini, Jorge Nuñez, Clay Aiken and Jasmine Trias and break out yet another rendition of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” (Really, Cecile Frot-Coutaz ought to secretly deduct 250,000 votes from whichever finalist dares to go there.)
But hey, ever the optimist, I’m going to go ahead and...
But hey, ever the optimist, I’m going to go ahead and...
- 3/28/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Twelve shipwrecked guys are treading water amid a swarm of ravenous sharks, when suddenly, a luxury yacht pulls up alongside them. “Darling, your bathing suits are divine!” exclaims a glamorous actress, peering down from the deck. “Dude, your backstroke is bitchin’!” says the rock star alongside her. “Way to throw caution to the wind and do your thing, dawgs!” says their pal the music producer, sipping from a tall Coca-Cola glass. Welcome to the American Idol season 10 men’s semifinal — life boats not included!
Okay, okay, I’m probably sounding harsher than I’d intended. After all, of the dozen...
Okay, okay, I’m probably sounding harsher than I’d intended. After all, of the dozen...
- 3/2/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
The premiere of American Idol‘s hotly anticipated/anxiety-inducing tenth season is only a day away, and like a contestant on Bridalplasty, the show will be debuting a radically different face when its veil gets lifted this Wednesday at 8/7c.
It remains to be seen whether or not all the widely reported changes will ultimately reinvigorate or eviscerate Fox’s veteran ratings juggernaut, but regardless, I’ve got a little extra advice that I think will boost the chances that 2011 will be remembered as the year Idol got its groove back. Without further ado…
Keep a vat of Nickelodeon Slime...
It remains to be seen whether or not all the widely reported changes will ultimately reinvigorate or eviscerate Fox’s veteran ratings juggernaut, but regardless, I’ve got a little extra advice that I think will boost the chances that 2011 will be remembered as the year Idol got its groove back. Without further ado…
Keep a vat of Nickelodeon Slime...
- 1/18/2011
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
The Season 10 premiere of "American Idol" is less than a week away and to make the days go by a bit faster, Zap2it decided to take a stroll down memory lane and re-evaluate the previous nine seasons.
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
We've looked back at Season 1 (yay Kelly!) and Season 2 (aww, Clay and Ruben!) and now it's time to take a look back at the black hole of "American Idol." And don't even try to act like that's not a true statement in the year where Fantasia beat Diana DeGarmo.
Season 2 contestants in order of elimination:...
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
We've looked back at Season 1 (yay Kelly!) and Season 2 (aww, Clay and Ruben!) and now it's time to take a look back at the black hole of "American Idol." And don't even try to act like that's not a true statement in the year where Fantasia beat Diana DeGarmo.
Season 2 contestants in order of elimination:...
- 1/14/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
As American Idol’s season 10 cattle-call auditions continue — the show stopped yesterday in New Orleans, and will head to New Jersey next week — and the September call-back rounds in front of the judges draw closer, speculation is heating up about who will fill the Simon Cowell Memorial Chair. According to The Hollywood Reporter, former executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who left the show prior to its eighth season, is thisclose to signing a deal to return to that position for season 10 (alongside Ken Warwick, Simon Fuller, and Cecile Frot-Coutaz); what makes that news especially juicy is the fact that Lythgoe went...
- 7/27/2010
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Opinions have been largely negative surrounding the ninth season of Fox's hit singing competition show -- but is this really the worst season in "American Idol" history? We don't think so.
We think this is more a case of the collective "Idol" viewing audience having some short-term memory loss. Sure, in comparison to the David vs. David showdown of two years ago and the spectacle that was Adam Lambert coupled with whiskey-voiced Allison Iraheta and cutie-pie Kris Allen, Season 9 seemed a little boring.
But let's not forget the seasons prior to seven and eight. Do you even remember the black hole that was Season 3?
Season 9's Paige Miles is arguably the best 11th-place finisher ever, with the possible exception of Alexis Grace. Unfortunately for Paige, the week she was eliminated she was very obviously sick and had had no exposure prior to the Top 24, thus no fan base to get her through the rough patch.
We think this is more a case of the collective "Idol" viewing audience having some short-term memory loss. Sure, in comparison to the David vs. David showdown of two years ago and the spectacle that was Adam Lambert coupled with whiskey-voiced Allison Iraheta and cutie-pie Kris Allen, Season 9 seemed a little boring.
But let's not forget the seasons prior to seven and eight. Do you even remember the black hole that was Season 3?
Season 9's Paige Miles is arguably the best 11th-place finisher ever, with the possible exception of Alexis Grace. Unfortunately for Paige, the week she was eliminated she was very obviously sick and had had no exposure prior to the Top 24, thus no fan base to get her through the rough patch.
- 5/28/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Alicia Keys bursts onto the American Idol scene tonight to help the remaining season 9 contestants navigate a bizarre list of 77 "inspirational songs." (Check out my dream set list for tonight's show here.) Before Aaron Kelly can go all "This Is My Now" on our behinds, though, I'm going to rank him and his six rivals in terms of their momentum over the last eight weeks of live performances. Won't you do the same by voting for your favorite in our Power List poll? (Related: 'American Idol' results night recap: Two Blue; for more Idol coverage, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak.
- 4/20/2010
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Moments before the Top 10 took to the "Idol" stage to sing soul and R&B songs, an "Idol" blogger colleague messaged me on Twitter freaking out. "Gahhh! Jim, season nine needs to start getting serious. It's getting out of hand. Maybe tonight will be the night."
My reply?
"Well, it certainly can't get any worse."
On that note, let's get to the performances!
Siobhan Magnus
Song: "Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan
Verdict: Through the Ringer
Ever wondered what it would sound like if Marlee Matlin sang in a wind tunnel? You're in luck, because Siobhan Magnus' take on Chaka Khan's classic provided just that! Boys and girls, step right up and see the incredible shrieking shrinking woman! Marvel at how quickly the Queen of Quirk can become as boring and atonal as previous seasons' ear-terrorists Jasmine Trias, Ramiele Malubay and Carmen Rasmusen!
What went wrong here? Well,...
My reply?
"Well, it certainly can't get any worse."
On that note, let's get to the performances!
Siobhan Magnus
Song: "Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan
Verdict: Through the Ringer
Ever wondered what it would sound like if Marlee Matlin sang in a wind tunnel? You're in luck, because Siobhan Magnus' take on Chaka Khan's classic provided just that! Boys and girls, step right up and see the incredible shrieking shrinking woman! Marvel at how quickly the Queen of Quirk can become as boring and atonal as previous seasons' ear-terrorists Jasmine Trias, Ramiele Malubay and Carmen Rasmusen!
What went wrong here? Well,...
- 3/31/2010
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
American Idol producers, what's in your Coca-Cola cups? Tonight's Dallas audition episode was going oh-so-swimmingly -- from a televised-entertainment perspective, if not from a "there's the next Kelly Clarkson!" viewpoint -- but then on Day 2 you had to go and replace witty/caustic Neil Patrick Harris with teen heartthrob Joe Jonas, who appeared to be under the impression he'd signed up for the role of "Chalk Outline" on an episode of Law & Order. I mean, as far as woeful substitutions go, why not just recast Dreamgirls and give Jennifer Hudson's pivotal role of Effie to Jasmine Trias? But while...
- 1/28/2010
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Las Vegas-Formed in Hawaii and perfected in showrooms throughout Las Vegas and the Islands, Society of Seven brings its lively variety show to the Gold Coast Showroom for an extended run beginning November 6. Joined by season three American Idol finalist Jasmine Trias, Society of Seven is scheduled to appear every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with two shows daily - 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- 11/6/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Las Vegas-Formed in Hawaii and perfected in showrooms throughout Las Vegas and the Islands, Society of Seven brings its lively variety show to the Gold Coast Showroom for an extended run beginning November 6. Joined by season three American Idol finalist Jasmine Trias, Society of Seven is scheduled to appear every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with two shows daily - 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- 10/22/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Oh, Chris Sligh. I remember when you first graced my TV screen way back in 2007, a breath of fresh air amongst a crop of season six Idol lookers like Haley Scarnato. Oh, how silly you were, bouncing into that Idol audition room in Birmingham like an ever-huggable Teletubby, spouting off funny-isms like, " to make David Hasselhoff cry." But now, Chris Sligh, you're making me cry. And not in a good way. This past Saturday, you took to your blog to give season 8's top ten Idols some advice following their final tour date. And though you make some valid points throughout your rant (and yes, I will qualify it as a rant), most of your blog post just reeks of arrogance and negativity. So let's take a look, and refute -- and support when necessary -- some of your points, shall we? Note: This blog post was written prior to...
- 9/23/2009
- by Kate Ward
- EW.com - PopWatch
These are the "Idol" hopefuls we'll never forget, from Sanjaya to Taylor Hicks.
By James Montgomery
Sanjaya Malakar
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images
Over the course of eight stupendous seasons, "American Idol" has showcased some of the best undiscovered singers in the country and a few who, well, were probably better left that way.
There have been plenty of highs and just as many lows. So, in celebration of Wednesday night's (May 20) Lambert vs. Allen finale, we're taking a look back at some of those who came before them — and were quickly forgotten. Because while there have been plenty of "Idol" also-rans who were really good, there are just as many who weren't. And really, we'll remember them a lot longer than the talented ones.
So here's a look back at some folks who reached for the stars (even though they probably shouldn't have) and didn't let a little thing...
By James Montgomery
Sanjaya Malakar
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images
Over the course of eight stupendous seasons, "American Idol" has showcased some of the best undiscovered singers in the country and a few who, well, were probably better left that way.
There have been plenty of highs and just as many lows. So, in celebration of Wednesday night's (May 20) Lambert vs. Allen finale, we're taking a look back at some of those who came before them — and were quickly forgotten. Because while there have been plenty of "Idol" also-rans who were really good, there are just as many who weren't. And really, we'll remember them a lot longer than the talented ones.
So here's a look back at some folks who reached for the stars (even though they probably shouldn't have) and didn't let a little thing...
- 5/20/2009
- MTV Music News
Can Gokey do better than the likes of Elliott Yami, Nikki McKibbin and Melinda Doolittle?
By Eric Ditzian
Danny Gokey performs on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images/ Fox
If you're a Danny Gokey groupie, there are two ways to look at Wednesday night's "American Idol" results show, during which the 29-year-old singer was ousted from the competition: Weep for lost opportunity, or applaud Gokes for a job well sung and look forward to his career as a recording artist.
And just what sort of career will he have? Last week we took a look back at "Idol" fourth-place finishers, like Chris Daughtry and Josh Gracin, for clues about how 17-year-old Allison Iraheta might fare in years to come. Now we turn our attention to the #3 bootees, whose post-"Idol" careers are considerably less impressive than the #4 losers. Will Gokey fade away or break the mold?
Nikki McKibbin,...
By Eric Ditzian
Danny Gokey performs on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images/ Fox
If you're a Danny Gokey groupie, there are two ways to look at Wednesday night's "American Idol" results show, during which the 29-year-old singer was ousted from the competition: Weep for lost opportunity, or applaud Gokes for a job well sung and look forward to his career as a recording artist.
And just what sort of career will he have? Last week we took a look back at "Idol" fourth-place finishers, like Chris Daughtry and Josh Gracin, for clues about how 17-year-old Allison Iraheta might fare in years to come. Now we turn our attention to the #3 bootees, whose post-"Idol" careers are considerably less impressive than the #4 losers. Will Gokey fade away or break the mold?
Nikki McKibbin,...
- 5/14/2009
- MTV Music News
It hurts my brain to do these American Idol rankings. The mere act of placing David Archuleta ahead of so many better and more interesting singers is enough to give me a headache. We can't know exactly who the people are that vote for Little Mr. Archuleta every week, but it stands to reason that the demographic is young and female. The overwhelming screams that rain out from the crowd every time he takes the stage is evidence enough, and historically the teen vote has been about the most important type of vote on American Idol. I hate to say it – but the signs point to Archuleta winning the competition. Anyways, these American Idol rankings are not based on my personal views. They are meant to be objective as possible.
#10 – Kristy Lee Cook
She should have been voted off this week and, while I'd say it's 50/50 that she goes home next week,...
#10 – Kristy Lee Cook
She should have been voted off this week and, while I'd say it's 50/50 that she goes home next week,...
- 3/21/2008
- by BuddyTV
- buddytv.com
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