American Idol winner Iam Tongi reunites with fellow contestant Oliver Steele in Hawaii for emotional performance as fans praise 'beautiful friendship'
- Iam, 18, and Oliver, 25, formed a close bond during season 21 of American Idol
- The Hawaii-born star was crowned the winner of the ABC show on May 21
- Oliver traveled to Kahuku in Honolulu where he and Iam were gifted ukuleles
American Idol winner Iam Tongi delighted fans this week when he reunited with his friend and fellow contestant Oliver Steele.
The 18-year-old singer took to Instagram and shared some snaps, as well as some videos, of his time spent with Oliver, 25, in Hawaii.
Iam and Oliver met up in Kahuku in Honolulu where they were gifted with beautiful handmade ukuleles that represent brotherhood.
The two men sat side-by-side in the photos as they posed with their new instruments, before putting on an impromptu performance.
![BFFs: American Idol winner Iam Tongi delighted fans this week when he reunited with his friend and fellow contestant Oliver Steele](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72878791-12267009-BFFs_American_Idol_winner_Iam_Tongi_delighted_fans_this_week_whe-a-32_1693678395025.jpg)
BFFs: American Idol winner Iam Tongi delighted fans this week when he reunited with his friend and fellow contestant Oliver Steele
![Hanging out: The pair were pictured with a male friend and their new ukuleles](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72878657-12267009-Hanging_out_The_pair_were_pictured_with_a_male_friend_and_their_-a-31_1693678394841.jpg)
Hanging out: The pair were pictured with a male friend and their new ukuleles
![New toys: Iam and Oliver were gifted with beautiful handmade ukuleles that represent brotherhood](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72878773-12267009-New_toys_Iam_and_Oliver_were_gifted_with_beautiful_handmade_ukul-a-37_1693678396163.jpg)
New toys: Iam and Oliver were gifted with beautiful handmade ukuleles that represent brotherhood
Iam shared a lengthy caption on the post and began by saying: 'These ukuleles represent brotherhood. Each ukulele holds a special meaning to both Iam and Oliver.
'When speaking with @kanileaukulele about this idea of sharing a message about family, culture and brotherhood through my art and their beautiful ukuleles we decided to go all in!'
He continued: 'These ukuleles were built custom from the ground up in Hawaii. From the raw curly Koa wood found in Kona to the very last grain of sand inlaid into the design. (The ivory color you see in the design is sand from Kailua Beach).
'I couldn't have asked for a better Ohana / company to work with than @kanileaukulele there are no other two ukuleles like this in the world! Ngā Mihi to unko Joe, @kaimanasouza, kahiau and the team!
'Like unko Joe says "Buss em up." More to come! Made with Aroha, Sam & Kanile'a Ohana,' Iam added.
His 835,000 followers were quick to react to the post as one person said: 'Ukulele's are beautiful just like the 2 beautiful people they belong to. What awesome music n friendship you make together.'
'Love seeing you two together making music!!' a second wrote, while a third commented: 'Love your voice and love your new brother.'
A fourth fan added: 'Beautiful story of love, friendship and music,' and someone else said: 'Very nice. Love seeing Iam and Oliver together... they will have a blast making music with their beautiful instruments.'
![All in the details: Iam revealed to his fans that the ukuleles were built custom from the ground up in Hawaii](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72878763-12267009-All_in_the_details_Iam_revealed_to_his_fans_that_the_ukuleles_we-a-35_1693678395428.jpg)
All in the details: Iam revealed to his fans that the ukuleles were built custom from the ground up in Hawaii
![Group shot: The two singers also posed for a picture with musician Kolohe Kai](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/05/15/72878749-12267009-image-m-9_1688567134900.jpg)
Group shot: The two singers also posed for a picture with musician Kolohe Kai
![Big smiles: The teenage singer looked really happy in a video of his impromptu performance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/05/16/72878765-12267009-Big_smiles_The_teenage_singer_looked_really_happy_in_a_video_of_-a-89_1688572444410.jpg)
Big smiles: The teenage singer looked really happy in a video of his impromptu performance
A different fan gushed: 'You two sound magical,' and another commented: 'Amazing the friendship that has come from this whole experience.'
'And im so incredibly honored to have been gifted this Ukulele by my good friend @hamiora.art and the wonderful folks at @kanileauku (sic).'
He continued: 'This is one of two pieces, with the other matching piece being given to Iam. They represent our brotherhood and bond, whilst also telling the stories of our heritage and family.
'Each piece is a stunning piece of art, and there has never been a ukulele made like either of these, with a large portion or the inlay work being made of sand from Kailua beach.
'Thank you to @hamiora.art , @turtlebayresort , @kanileaukulele , and all of my Ohana here on Oahu that have made the first part of this trip so absolutely incredible! I’m already planning the next one,' Oliver added.
The Tennessee native made it to the top eight contestants of season 21 of American Idol, but he was eliminated from the competition on May 7.
Meanwhile, Iam made it to the final alongside Megan Danielle and Colin Stough and was crowned the winner on May 21.
![Dynamic duo: Oliver and Iam performed together during season 21 of American Idol](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/05/15/72878361-12267009-image-a-10_1688567533707.jpg)
Dynamic duo: Oliver and Iam performed together during season 21 of American Idol
![Star in the making: Iam blew audiences away with his incredible talent and singing skills](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72878331-12267009-Star_in_the_making_Iam_blew_audiences_away_with_his_incredible_t-a-34_1693678395053.jpg)
Star in the making: Iam blew audiences away with his incredible talent and singing skills
![Runners up: Colin Stough and Megan Danielle made it to the final of season 21](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72879979-12267009-Runners_up_Colin_Stough_and_Megan_Danielle_made_it_to_the_final_-a-33_1693678395028.jpg)
Runners up: Colin Stough and Megan Danielle made it to the final of season 21
Fans of the show were divided by the outcome and some even accused the reality show of being rigged.
Some viewers felt the teen was deserving of the title, but others thought that runner-up Colin should have won instead - and accused American Idol of 'rigging' the results in Iam's favor.
The teenage singer responded to the allegations 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.
Iam 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.
![Grand finale: The Hawaii-born singer was crowned the winner of American Idol on May 21](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72878317-12267009-Grand_finale_The_Hawaii_born_singer_was_crowned_the_winner_of_Am-a-36_1693678395652.jpg)
Grand finale: The Hawaii-born singer was crowned the winner of American Idol on May 21
![Harsh allegations: Viewers were divided by Iam's win and some fans accused the show of being 'rigged'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/02/19/72880265-12267009-Harsh_allegations_Viewers_were_divided_by_Iam_s_win_and_some_fan-a-38_1693678401438.jpg)
Harsh allegations: Viewers were divided by Iam's win and some fans accused the show of being 'rigged'
'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.
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