Tongi is the youngest of five children. He has two brothers, Lerod and Sitaleki, and two sisters, Jennifer and Cassandra. Iam’s mother, Lillie Tongi, worked for an airline. His father was the late Rodney Tongi.
Tongi is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of Iam’s goals is to go on a mission soon. His faith was fundamental to him even through his stint on American Idol. His mother, Lillie, revealed that Iam, through their shared faith, was her rock after Rodney’s untimely passing.
Iam Tongi’s dad was the late Rodney Tongi, of Tongan and Samoan descent. Iam often speaks of his unique musical bond with his late father. Rodney was the first to believe in Iam’s musical gift. He gifted him his first guitar, even though it was beyond their budget.
Unfortunately, Rodney succumbed to stage 4 kidney disease in December 2021. Iam’s moving story about his father’s illness and passing made him a fan-favourite from the start of American Idol. He dedicated his final performance on the show to his late father. He performed an original song, I'll Be Seeing You, about missing and remembering his father fondly.
