Iam Tongi Notches Spot in Top 24 on ‘American Idol’ with “The Sound of Silence”

Iam Tongi gave new meaning to Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” with his powerful cover on American Idol.

With just an acoustic guitar, piano and his heartfelt voice, Tongi cast a hush over the captivated crowd with the classic tune. “A couple of years ago, Iam’s dad got sick and he had to go through dialysis,” Tongi’s mom Lillie explains as the song’s instrumental plays in the background. “And I think from there he realized that his days were limited.” A couple months before his father passed away, Tongi and his dad recorded videos of themselves singing together, “which is something Iam turns to a lot and plays while he sleeps,” Lillie shares.

Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan were just as mystified as the crowd, with Richie proclaiming in the middle of the performance, “everything we want.”

“This is what this show is about,” Perry professed with tears welling in her eyes.

“It’s beautiful,” adds Bryan as Perry hands tissues to Richie, the two of them dabbing away tears.

Tongi’s touching performance brought everyone to their feet in a standing ovation, as Lillie revealed that her son didn’t want to sing after his dad passed. “He has come so far, and I’m proud of him,” she praised. “And I know his dad is proud.”

When it came time for the judgment call, Tongi’s moving performance solidified him a slot in the Top 24 over fellow contestants Colin Stough and Matt Wilson. However, just as Stough and Wilson were about to leave the room, they were stopped by the judges.

“Plot twist,” Perry said. “As judges we like to change it up every season. We have so much talent this season, we don’t think there’s a Top 24–we think there’s a Top 26.” With Stough and Wilson joining Tongi in the competition, the room erupted in cheers and hugs all around.

The Top 26 take the stage in Hawaii when Idol returns on Sunday (April 16) at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Photo Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless