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'American Idol' fans accuse Iam Tongi of 'cheating' after he forgets lyrics during duet with Oliver Steele

'American Idol' 2023 contestant Iam Tongi forgot the lyrics during his duet with Oliver Steele

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Viewers of 'American Idol' Season 21 were treated to some moving performances. Oliver Steele and Iam Tongi delivered an emotional performance together as they both have similar emotional pasts. Oliver's father had a stroke, while Iam's father recently passed away.

Oliver and Iam stunned the judges with their powerful duet performance to 'Save Your Tears' by The Weeknd. However, Iam's father's guitar broke just before his duet with Oliver. the 'American Idol' judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie assured Tongi that they will fix his guitar. Some social media users believe that Iam is not worthy of advancing to the next round because he forgets the lyrics during his performance. Read more about Oliver and Iam's duet.

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Oliver and Iam named their team 'Kindred Spirits.' During the behind-the-scene clip, Iam was quite unsure about singing harmony and needs pep talks from Oliver. However, just before the performance, the guitar that Iam's dad gave him broke. When the judges ask him about his guitar, he bursts into tears. Iam revealed that he had promised his dad that he will use his guitar for every performance. After hearing Iam's story, the judges promised the guitar will be fixed. Iam and Oliver delivered an emotional performance but they were not perfect. The judges said that their vocals were "smooth like butter." Oliver and Iam advanced to the next round.

Iam Tongi slammed for 'taping' lyrics on guitar

Soon after his emotional duet with Oliver, Iam admitted that he had the lyrics taped to his guitar. However, social media users slammed Iam for forgetting the lyrics. A user tweeted, "I liked Iam but that's cheating. Taping lyrics to your guitar? Ridiculous." Another follower noted, "Also properly unpopular opinion, but I feel like he's milking his dad's death." Another viewer said, "Iam has a good voice, but my God, he doesn't know the lyrics. I still think the judges are being unfair tonight. Jon Wayne was sent home and sang beautifully." Another person noted, "How do you come on American Idol and not know the lyrics???" Another Twitter user said, "Beautiful! How come it was cute and funny when he needed the lyrics, but not ok at all earlier on on the show for the other guys?" Another viewer added, "Exactly what I thought. Katy let the other two have it when they were looking at their phones but says “don’t ever change” when this dude reads notes taped to his guitar. I raise the BS flag!"

'American Idol' Season 21 airs every Sundays and Mondays at 8.pm ET on ABC.

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