Katy Perry predicted that Iam Tongi would win season 21 of American Idol on Sunday during Disney Night of the ABC show.
The 38-year-old pop superstar wore a red Elastigirl costume complete with a red wig and black eye mask as she declared that Iam, 18, of Kahuku, Hawaii, was the frontrunner.
‘I believe it’s written in the stars,’ Katy said. ‘I don’t believe in coincidences. I know that you are Iam, but when I see your name I see ‘I am …the next American Idol.’
Lionel Richie, 73, agreed.
‘There’s a moment in time in your life when magic happens and my friend this is magical for you,’ Lionel said. ‘This is a time when all the stars align. It’s really happening.’
Bold prediction: Katy Perry predicted that Iam Tongi would win season 21 of American Idol on Sunday during Disney Night of the ABC show
High school student Iam was the last contestant to perform during the two-hour live show and delivered an emotional rendition of Father And Son by Cat Stevens.
When he was finished the crowd chanted his name and was given a standing ovation by judges Katy, Lionel and Luke Bryan, 46.
Iam after his mesmerizing vocal performance was voted into the top three along with Megan Danielle, 21, of Douglasville, Georgia, and Colin Stough, 18, of Gattman, Mississippi.
The show opened with Grammy-winner Sara Bareilles, 43, and the top five contestants singing When You Wish Upon A Star from Disney’s Pinocchio.
Katy in her Mrs. Incredible outfit had a special message on Mother’s Day.
‘I’m doing this for all the moms out there! ‘ Katy said while straddling her leg across the judge’s table.
‘That desk will never be the same,’ quipped host Ryan Seacrest, 48.
‘I do wish there was a little bit more air conditioning in here,’ Katy said in the skintight outfit.
The frontrunner: Iam, 18, of Kahuku, Hawaii, became the frontrunner to win season 21
Standing ovation: Lionel Richie, Katy and Luke Bryan gave Iam a standing ovation
Final performance: The two-hour live episode ended with Iam performing
Top three: Iam after his mesmerizing vocal performance was voted into the top three along with Megan Danielle, 21, of Douglasville, Georgia, and Colin Stough, 18, of Gattman, Mississippi
Each of the top five contestants were tasked with singing two Disney songs – a classic and soundtrack favorites.
Disney Channel star Sofia Carson, 30, served as the episode’s mentor and met with each of the contestants individually at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Wé Ani, 24, from Harlem, New York, went first after enjoying her first visit to the park. We picked Into The Unknown from Frozen II to sing. Sofia urged her to try to make the song her own.
For her performance, Wé wore a purple long sequined dress as she belted out the Idina Menzel song.
‘You look like a star, you sound like a star, you act like a star, your stage presence is amazing,’ Lionel said.
‘I’m just going to get it out of the way because you deserve it, that was incredible!’ Katy said. ‘It was like you were a superhero of vocals.’
‘Thank you, Mrs. Incredible,’ Wé told Katy.
‘Great performance,’ Luke commented.
Grammy winner: The show opened with Grammy-winner Sara Bareilles, 43, and the top five contestants singing When You Wish Upon A Star from Disney’s Pinocchio
Top five: Iam, Megan Danielle, Sara, We Ani, Colin Stough and Zachariah Smith sang together during Disney Night
Show mentor: Disney Channel star Sofia Carson, 30, served as the episode’s mentor and met with each of the contestants individually at Disneyland in Anaheim, California
Disneyland fun: Wé Ani, 24, from Harlem, New York, went first after enjoying her first visit to Disneyland with her mother Jackie
Zachariah Smith, 20, a grill cook from Armory, Mississippi, took his family to Disneyland and then practiced singing I Just Can’t Wait To Be King from The Lion King with Sofia. He took the stage wearing a lion-themed embellished jacket and performed.
‘You actually may become King,’ Katy said. ‘Lionel and I would know something like that. You were to me such the underdog and now look at you know, you are in the top of tops.’
‘You are on fire my friend,’ said Lionel who performed with Katy at the recent coronation of King Charles III.
Zachariah told Ryan if he made it through he was looking forward to spending time with his brother who was autistic.
Colin picked Sheryl Crow’s song Real Gone from the movie Cars. He said the movie was one of his favorites. Colin’s mother Nara joined him for a day at Disneyland.
‘My mom’s the reason I’m here,’ Colin said. ‘She’s the one who signed me up on the show.’
Colin took the stage wearing all black down to his cowboy hat.
‘That was maybe my favorite performance that you have done,’ Luke said. ‘It was great.’
Happiest place: Colin’s mother Nara joined him for a day at Disneyland
‘Colin you came out looking like an electric guitar,’ Katy said.
Megan brought her mother Monica with her to see Disneyland. Megan picked You Can’t Stop The Girl from Maleficent to perform, dedicating it to her mother who had helped her growing up. Megan took the stage in a black long tulle dress.
‘That was a stellar performance,’ Lionel said.
‘The whole time I just want to tell you that you are a vocalist,’ Luke said. ‘That’s what that term is designed for. A vocalist is someone that delivers vocals just like you did.’
Ryan asked her why she chose that song.
‘Really because of everything I have been through not only me but my siblings and my mama over there,’ Megan said. ‘It’s a reminder that we can keep going and nothing can stop us.’
The Bachelorette star Hannah Brown, 28, and her boyfriend Adam Woolard also stopped the show and shared that they were big fans.
Iam performed the song Lava from the short film Lava. When a crowd gathered at Disneyland and saw Sofia mentoring Iam, he turned around and wowed the crowd with his singing.
Close bond: Megan brought her mother Monica with her to see Disneyland
Bachelorette star: The Bachelorette star Hannah Brown, 28, and her boyfriend Adam Woolard also stopped the show and shared that they were big fans
Surprise concert: When a crowd gathered at Disneyland and saw Sofia mentoring Iam, he turned around and wowed the crowd with his singing
Iam received another standing ovation from the judges and the audience. The crowd chanted his name.
‘You know exactly who you are and honey that is a superstar,’ Katy said.
‘Authenticity, you are so authentic to what you are,’ Luke said. ‘You make a room light up and it’s very special.’
‘I consider you a master storyteller,’ Lionel said.
Wé went next and sang the inspirational ballad The Climb from Hannah Montana after spending time at Disneyland resort with her mother Jackie. She gave her mother a bouquet of flowers and read her a mother’s day card.
‘You are my best friend,’ Wé said.
We wore a long gold sequined dress for her performance.
‘You are so elegant in your delivery and that was the perfect song for you to show that elegance,’ Luke said.
‘It was superb,’ Katy said. ‘You are a master of your craft now.’
Halle Bailey 23, from The Little Mermaid made an appearance on the show singing Part of Your World wearing a long blue strapless dress.
Zachariah gave his mother a handwritten letter thanking her for all she had done for him growing up. Zachariah said he was proud of his mother. Zachariah then sang Life Is Like A Highway from the movie Cars.
Katy said she appreciated the card Zachariah gave to his mother and that was all a mother wanted.
‘My 12-year-old Tate gave Caroline $7 in her card,’ Luke said referencing his family.
Colin did a folk song from Nobody Knows from Pete’s Dragon while playing the guitar. The judges gave him a standing ovation.
‘You really do an amazing job of holding the room,’ Luke said.
‘You walk out on stage and you step into your light,’ Lionel said.
Colin said he was looking forward to getting back home and getting on a motorcycle with his grandfather. Megan then performed Carried Me With You, the theme from the movie Onward. Sofia encouraged her to continue to be vulnerable on stage. The judges gave her a standing ovation when she finished.
‘So effortless, so natural, you are always in the pocket, you just got it,’ Luke said. ‘You’ve got the magic voice. You’ve got the magic delivery.’
Magic kingdom: Colin, Zacharia We, Megan and Iam enjoyed Disneyland with their loved ones
Megan told Ryan she couldn’t wait to get back to Georgia to eat some creamy cheese dip with jalapeños.
After the votes were tabulated, Ryan announced that Iam, Colin, and Megan would all be moving on to the top three. We and Zachariah were sent home.
American Idol will return Monday with a recap episode titled Journey to the Finale.
The season 21 finale next Sunday will feature Keith Urban, 55, as a mentor and he also will perform Wild Hearts.
SRC: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
