EXCLUSIVE: American Idol winner Iam Tongi, 18, reveals to DailyMail.com what he REALLY thinks about THAT rigging scandal and his very divisive victory... and lays bare his true feelings about controversial judge Katy Perry

• Hawaiian-born Iam came in first place during the American Idol finale on Sunday 
• Some felt he wasn't the 'best singer' and accused the show of being 'rigged' 
• He has now responded to the backlash, admitting that he 'loves' the attention 

American Idol winner Iam Tongi has finally opened up about his true thoughts about the sensational rigging scandal that cast a dark shadow over his victory - while addressing the furious controversy surrounding judge Katy Perry. 

When Hawaiian-born Iam, 18, was crowned as the winner of American Idol earlier this week, his win divided the nation. 

Some viewers felt the teen was deserving of the title, but others thought that runner-up Colin Stough should have won instead - and accused the show of 'rigging' the results in Iam's favor.

Now, the aspiring musician has responded to the accusations that he was chosen due to sympathy rather than talent, explaining exclusively to DailyMail.com that he doesn't mind the negative attention - in fact, he insisted that he 'loves it.'

'A lot of people are like, "Colin Stough was robbed," or whatever. And I just love it,' he said.

The 18-year-old explained that his dad, Rodney Tongi - who passed away in 2021 - helped prepare him for the bitter backlash that he might endure if he ever made it into the spotlight.

'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 continued.

'Everyone gets their own opinion. Everyone gets to think what they think. So, it's fine.' 

He said his method for dealing with haters online is to kill them with kindness, so he tends to drop a 'like' on some of the hateful posts.

'I just like [them], whatever what they say, 'cause you know, [I gotta] let those things happen,' he dished.

'I am guilty for liking it. But look, [my] music's not for everyone. And I have to learn that the hard way.'

Iam, who is of Tongan and Samoan heritage, made history when he won the 21st season of American Idol on Sunday - becoming the first person from Hawaii to come in first place.

Afterwards, however, Twitter was flooded with tweets from angry viewers who thought Colin, also 18, deserved the win more.

One person wrote that Iam only won because he 'had the best sob story,' while others said that Colin was a 'better singer.' 

Iam insisted to DailyMail.com there was no hard feelings between him and Colin, and that he's 'happy' so many people are supporting the runner-up.

'I love Colin man, he's such a kind guy. I'm going to see him again, we are going to jam out again and have fun,' he gushed. 

'But yeah ... it makes me happy to see that people love other styles of music as much as I do.

'They love Colin that much [that they say], "He should have won." And that makes me happy, to be honest.'

He added that he has no plans to 'chase after' people who aren't supporting him, but instead, will be focused on the ones who do.

'I love [my] community coming out and supporting me and showing up [for me], and I'm not going to really chase after fans,' he explained. 

'I'm going to be myself and do what I love and just have fun while I'm doing it and see whatever happens, happens.'

Iam also opened up about what it was like to be judged by Katy, who is reportedly ready to quit the show after facing her own slew of negative comments on social media over some insensitive statements she made on the show about the contestants.

Sources told DailyMail.com earlier this week that the singer, 38 - who has been a judge on American Idol for six years - feels like she was 'thrown under the bus by producers,' who she believes purposefully edited her to look 'nasty.'

When asked how the singing competition would be affected if Katy did leave the show, Iam said: '[All the judges] are so fun and we had a lot of fun with them while I was on Idol. 

'The support [Katy] gives and the love [she] gives to the contestants would be missed. I would miss Katy [if she left].'

Iam called his win 'unreal' and 'crazy,' while admitting that it hadn't 'really hit him yet.'  

As for what's next for him, he said he's excited to start recording his first album, which will have a 'Jack Johnson kind of vibe.' 

'I'm working on a lot of new stuff and I'm excited to share with people,' he concluded.