“American Idol” Season 21 winner and Hawaii native, Iam Tongi returned to the Idol stage Monday night for the hit ABC show’s Disney Night. The Pacific Islander performed the Lilo & Stitch classic “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.” Watch “American Idol” Performance of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” HERE.
Tongi’s take of the song will also be featured in Disney’s forthcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film in theaters May 23, 2025. The new version of the song once again features the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Choir just like the original animated film’s version by Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu. “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” is available now from Walt Disney Records, the first single from Disney’s highly anticipated live-action Lilo & Stitch movie.
“It is such an honor to perform ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride’ for the new live-action Lilo & Stitch,” shares Tongi. “The original film is such a huge part of any kid’s life who grew up in the Pacific Islands. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it with my friends and family. My biggest wish is that this new version of the song can live on in the hearts of a new generation of kids.”
Watch the official video for Tongi’s version of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” HERE,
Walt Disney Studios released a music featurette celebrating the magic and importance of ʻohana (family) with interviews and recording footage with Director Dean Fleischer Camp, and the soundtrack talent. Watch the music featurette HERE.
The return to “American Idol” and release of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” follows Tongi’s just released, “Sunshine”via 19 Recordings, for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Written by Tongi along with Tyler Cain and Johnny Reid, the song finds Tongi basking in positivity and feel-good warmth with a fusion of country and reggae sounds offering a dose of sonic Vitamin D to match his Hawaiian home. Listen to “Sunshine” HERE.
At just 18-years old when he auditioned, the Hawaiian born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist won hearts around the world and brought Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, to tears with his emotional performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters,” dedicated to his father Rodney who had recently passed away – watch it HERE. The audition went on to become the most watched on the show’s YouTube with 36 million views. Tongi became the first Pacific Islander to win the series and went on to earn his first Billboard No. 1 on the Rock Digital Songs Sales Chart after releasing his debut single, “I’ll Be Seeing You”
Tongi is set to make his CMA Fest debut June 5 on the Dr Pepper Amp Stage as well as his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 11. He is currently on the road with dates across the U.S. through the summer and fall with more to be announced soon. For the latest news including tour dates and new music visit iamtongiofficial.com and follow along @wtongi on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook.
