American Idol winner Iam Tongi has officially married his longtime girlfriend, Leah Solis, celebrating their relationship with a heartfelt outdoor wedding in Hawaii on September 4, 2026.
The wedding came only days after Tongi turned 22 and roughly three years after he captured America’s attention with his emotional journey on American Idol. Tongi won the competition in May 2023, becoming the first Pacific Islander from Hawaii to take the title.
Tongi and Leah had been together for about two years before announcing their engagement in December 2025. At the time, the couple shared photos from the proposal, with Tongi making it clear that he was looking forward to spending his future with Leah.
Photos and videos shared by family and friends showed the couple exchanging vows during an outdoor ceremony in Hawaii. Tongi stayed true to his familiar laid-back style, wearing flip-flops along with a tupenu, a traditional garment worn by Tongan men.
One of the most emotional moments came when the person speaking during the ceremony reflected on the couple’s relationship. Guests were told that Leah first caught Iam’s attention while they were traveling to seminary as teenagers and that their friendship gradually developed into something much deeper.
The ceremony became especially moving when Tongi was introduced as the youngest son of Lillie and Rodney Tongi. Iam visibly became emotional at the mention of his late father, whose memory has remained an important part of both his personal life and musical career.
Rodney passed away from kidney failure only months before Iam auditioned for American Idol. Tongi’s performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters” during his audition became one of the season’s most memorable moments and introduced viewers to the close relationship he had shared with his father.
The reception continued the celebration of family and culture. Friends and relatives performed traditional Tongan dances, while the newlyweds shared a dance to the classic “When I Fall in Love.”
But perhaps the most meaningful detail of the wedding was something much smaller: Iam and Leah’s custom wedding rings. Instead of choosing ordinary bands, the couple worked with a Polynesian cultural artist to create designs that represented both of their backgrounds.
Leah’s ring incorporates a Maya temple-inspired motif, reflecting her Mayan heritage. The design represents a connection between people, their ancestors and something greater than themselves, while its upward steps symbolize continued growth.
Iam’s ring incorporates the traditional Tongan Tokelau Feletoa pattern from Feletoa in Vavaʻu. The design is associated with courage and chiefly leadership, creating a reminder for Iam to move through life bravely while continuing to honor his Tongan roots.
After a journey that took him from an emotional American Idol audition to making history as the show’s first Pacific Islander winner, Tongi has now begun another major chapter. And with rings carrying pieces of both families’ heritage, Iam and Leah made sure their wedding celebrated not only their future together, but also the cultures and families that helped shape them.
