Why Iam Tongi Was So Nervous to Join New ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Movie

Since winning “American Idol” in 2023, Iam Tongi has grown accustomed to the spotlight, packing venues around the world with fans eager to support the first Pacific Islander to win the show. But Tongi, now 20, admits he was very nervous about stepping into a different kind of spotlight when Disney asked him to be part of its 2025 live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch.”

In a viral TikTok video posted on May 31, 2025 — with over one million views in just 12 hours — Tongi admitted how hesitant he was when producers asked him to record a cover of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,” a classic tune from the original 2002 movie. But it’s a good thing he agreed, because the new song has quickly become a viral hit.

Iam Tongi Says ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride’ Makes Him Feel Like a Kid Again

Tongi said in his May 31 social media video that he was initially hesitant when Disney came calling with a request for him to be involved.

“My first thought was, ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ because I grew up watching the film,” he said. “And you’ve got to understand that this song is a treasured song, and Mark Kealiʻi’s version is just legendary.”

“I mean, when I listen to the song, when I hear the song, I’m not Iam Tongi, ‘American Idol’ winner,” the singer continued. “I’m just a kid back home, just watching my favorite film.”

Nevertheless, Tongi did get up the nerve to record a new version of the tune, noting in his social media video that “the Disney music producers were amazing. When we were in the studio, they really helped me honor the song but make it my own and do it in my own way.”

The result is a smash hit. With over 19.5 million views, the making-of-the-song video, released on May 8, has become one of the top 10 music videos on YouTube. Just like in the original, a new generation of students from Kamehameha School’s Children’s Chorus appear on the song.

“I didn’t actually record with (the) choir, but I watched the video with them recording their parts, and it was super cool and inspiring,” he said. “To be a part of something like this, especially something that honors our culture like this, is just unreal.”

Iam Tongi Performed ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Song With Chorus on ‘American Idol’

Tongi returned to “American Idol” on May 12 to perform the song live with a children’s choir, thrilled to represent his culture on the national stage again.

“Lilo & Stitch” director Dean Fleischer Camp told New York’s ABC7 that having him and fellow Hawaii native Bruno Mars on the soundtrack was important to the creative team.

“When you’re telling a story about Hawaii with this rich, cultural history, it was really important to all of us that we had voices with a close connection to the culture,” he said.

Tongi told the outlet that the movie “has such a strong message about ‘ohana, family. It was honestly a dream come true. I can only hope my version of ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride’ can live on in the hearts of a new generation of kids.”

On May 2, Tongi also released his newest single, “Sunshine,” infused with the island vibes he’s become famous for. “Lilo & Stitch” opened at theaters nationwide on May 23.