‘Idol Across America’ is coming to Hawai’i; will it find the next Iam Tongi?

He was scared. He didn’t know why. He just was.

“We got it,” said an 18-year-old Iam Tongi, flashing a confident smile as the guitar he was given by his father hung around his neck.

The producer behind the camera said, “Alright, 3, 2, 1, you’re going in,” and a fearful nervousness almost instantly washed away any composure remaining on the Kahuku, O‘ahu, native’s face.

Without hesitating, however, Tongi turned, said “Oh, shoot,” and took his first steps into a future he never thought he’d have.

He went on to outsing hundreds of other talented artists throughout several weeks of competition, including live broadcasts. He captured not only America’s hearts but also their votes to become the first person from Hawai‘i and the first Pacific Islander ever to win “American Idol.”

But could it happen for another Hawai‘i resident? We could soon find out.

If you think you have the chops to follow in Tongi’s footsteps, register now for the “Idol Across America” online Hawai‘i auditions this Monday.

This is the fifth year the singing competition show has conducted its live nationwide search for the next superstar via Zoom, featuring audition days for all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C.

During this first round, contestants audition before one of the show’s producers and get real-time feedback. Those producers decide whether hopefuls move forward to be seen by the executive producer.

The executive producer is then the decision-maker for who will be seen by the three celebrity judges.

(Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will be joined this upcoming season by “Idol” alum and previous winner Carrie Underwood after Katy Perry departed the show following last season.)

“American Idol” producer Patrick Lynn said much of the time, contestants will be told right after their first audition with a producer whether they will be seen by the executive producer.

Sometimes, however, they do want a second opinion, so the contestant would be notified by email in that case if they move forward.

“We’re doing all of the producers’ Zoom auditions now, so we do those during the months of August and September,” said Lynn. “The actual celebrity in-person judge auditions wouldn’t be until October and November.”

Those who want to audition can do so live during the Zoom auditions, by uploading a pre-recorded audition or both.

The show has been doing auditions this way since the COVID-19 pandemic. The format replaced the big stadium in-person audition events of the past.

“Something that we realized is that Zoom really allows anybody to get to us,” Lynn said. “In the past, where we used to do the big in-person auditions at stadiums and arenas and bus tours and stuff like that, people would kind of have to travel to us. Now, it’s all done virtually, so you can do it from the comfort of your own home.”

After working on the show since it started more than 20 years ago, he is kind of sad that they don’t get to go to towns and cities throughout the nation anymore, but doing auditions via Zoom does open up the process for people and makes it much easier than ever before.

They also want to make sure the best and brightest talent from every state and city are put in front of the judges.

“We’re looking for people that can be potential superstars,” Lynn said. “I mean, that’s sort of the easy answer. The truth of the matter is, we’re looking for potential. We’re looking for that diamond in the rough. We’re not necessarily looking for perfection. We’re looking for people that, No. 1, can sing, and No. 2, can perform.”

Tongi’s audition for judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan took less than 8 minutes.

But he gave perhaps one of the most memorable — and tearjerking — auditions in “American Idol” history.

His story — about his family being “priced out of paradise,” having to move to the mainland to find cheaper housing, and the death of his father Rodney only months before, the man who taught him music and always wanted him to try out for the singing competition — was just a precursor.

Tongi’s voice and the song he performed, “Monster” by James Blunt, made Bryan outright cry and his fellow panelists become emotional.

The audition has gotten nearly 30 million views since it was posted Feb. 19, 2023, on the official “American Idol” YouTube channel and has nearly 600,000 thumbs up.

It’s touched so many people that it’s still being commented on and watched now more than a year later.

“This audition absolutely blew my mind,” commented @adeventuresuk 1 month ago. “I’ve never been so moved by a song. A true angel from heaven. Rodney will be so proud looking down.”

Tongi didn’t even sign himself up to audition for the show.

“You know, my mom signed me up for the audition,” he said in an interview with ABC’s On The Red Carpet after making the top 12 of his winning Season 21. “I didn’t even think I was gonna make it past the online round. And then when they said, you know, ‘You’re gonna be performing for Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katie Perry,’ I went, I was like calling all my friends, ‘Hey, ya’ll, [unintelligible].’ Now that I’m top 12, that’s crazy.”

The excitement of the now-19-year-old of Samoan and Tongan heritage was almost too much to contain.

Lynn had a few pieces of advice for “Idol” hopefuls.

“I would say pick a song that you like,” he said. “Pick a song that you can sing, and pick a song that you feel comfortable performing. And even though it’s on Zoom, think of it as you’re doing a local gig, or you’re singing for your friends, or you’re singing for a stadium. I mean, just think of it as you’re performing.”

But also try not to be so nervous.

Lynn tells people that the first round is, literally, the easiest audition they’ll do in the process. The farther in “Idol” you make it, the more you’ll realize how easy the early rounds actually are. But if you’re nervous, that’s fine. You just do it nervous.

He tells people all the time that it’s anybody’s ball game. If you sing, you sing well and you perform well, you can do well on “Idol.”

There are some eligibility requirements, but the main one is being between the ages of 15 and 28 years old.

Lynn encourages anyone between those ages who thinks this could be their year to audition — you have nothing to lose.

This year’s “Idol Across America” auditions started the week of Aug. 12 and they will run through Sept. 17. So even if you miss Monday’s Hawai’i auditions, you can register for any of the following dates.

People have even been submitting videos since the Season 22 finale in May.

Producers are also constantly looking for talent. Lynn said the search doesn’t start and end. Even when the show’s airing, they’re scouring social media.

“Because you never know who’s going to be the next ‘Idol,'” Lynn said.

Tongi has worn the “Idol” crown well since winning. Even before.

“Ever since the first audition on ‘American Idol,’ you could just see people absorbing his love,” wrote Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green in a May 16, 2023, post on Facebook before the Season 21 “Idol” finale. “He was able to, in just a few moments, share what the spirit of aloha is with just his voice.”

Hawai‘i’s Idol also returned to the islands to help celebrate the Fourth of July holiday this year, too. He was the headliner for America’s Most West Freedom Fest on July 3 at Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua‘i.

The director of the facility’s morale, welfare and recreation program said it was an honor to have such an incredible musician, “and Hawai‘i’s own superstar,” perform for the base and island’s ‘ohana.

“It was a real thrill to host Iam Tongi, and all of our amazing entertainers here at [Pacific Missile Range Facility] during our Most West Freedom Fest celebration this year,” said the facility’s commanding officer Capt. Brett Stevenson. “Iam was incredibly generous with his time in supporting our men and women in uniform. His performance was truly inspiring for all in attendance.”

If you think you have what it takes, don’t hesitate. Sign up to audition and take your shot at becoming the next “American Idol.”

To register for the Hawai‘i auditions, click here.