Iam Tongi Earns Standing Ovation With Emotional ‘I Can Make You Love Me’ - Audition Videos

One musician gave a powerful and emotional performance, receiving a standing ovation during Hollywood Week on American Idol. 

Musicians, in order to enjoy a long and successful career, must have a ton of talent and musical ability. No one wants to listen to someone who obviously has no idea how to sing or play. However, there is another less tangible, harder-to-teach ingredient musicians need to be prosperous. They must be able to connect with their audience and make them believe and feel the words they’re singing.

Iam Tongi, every time he has taken the stage on American Idol, has given touching, heartfelt performances. His most recent performance involved him singing Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”

From the second the 18-year-old high school student from Hawaii begins playing, the judges and his fellow competitors in the audience cannot take their eyes off him. There is so much emotion in every word he sings and every note he plays. The song and the lyrics obviously mean a ton to him. 

The judges love Iam's performance and are all won over very early on. They exchange knowing glances and smiles. Near the end of the song, Luke Bryan voices his approval.

“God, perfect,” Luke said. 

His fellow competitors are completely bowled over by the young man’s performance. They give him a well-deserved standing ovation! 

Prior to his performance, Iam mentions how he lost his dearly loved dad only months before auditioning for the show. He also adds that the guitar he’s using during his performance was a gift from his late father. 

It’s crystal clear that Iam has an abundance of talent. He also has a penchant for selecting tunes that work well with his voice, with lyrics that are meaningful to him and that connect with his audience. Iam will likely go very far in the competition. 

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”