‘American Idol’ Winner Iam Tongi Apologizes For ‘Disrespect’ After Forgetting To Take Off Hat When Singing National Anthem

American Idol winner Iam Tongi apologized after facing backlash for acting “disrespectfully” while singing the national anthem at this year’s MLB Homerun Derby.

Tongi was invited to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” at the MLB Home Run Derby in Seattle and accidentally kept his baseball hat on while singing. He was later slammed by fans who called him “disrespectful.” 

He apologized in a YouTube video posted, captioning it, “First try at singing the National Anthem. So nervous that it was in front of such a huge crowd. And apologize for being so nervous and forgot to take off the hat.” The video featured Tongi’s beautiful rendition of the national anthem at the game. 

In addition to the video, Tongi shared another apology on his Twitter account. 

“Tens of thousands of people. I walk out and my uncle reminds me to remove my hat before I start singing. I remember. A few seconds later the nerves took in and didn’t remember until it was all done,” the singer wrote. “I will try to do better next time 🤙🏾.”

Fans responded to Tongi in the comments, reassuring him that mistakes happen and that he did a wonderful job. 

One wrote, “We thought you did an AMAZING job, Iam!!!! Who cares about the hat? Stuff happens. You keep going!!!!” 

Another fan added, “You did an amazing job, brought tears to my eyes. I can see the pride you took in singing the anthem. It took just as much nerve to realize you forgot and acknowledge it as it did to stand up in front of all those people and sing. God bless!”

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Tongi won season 21 of American Idol at just 18 years old in May.

Many accused ABC of rigging this season so that Tongi would win, but there has been no evidence to prove these accusations. Despite the allegations, Tongi has pushed forward, performing at his high school graduation and now at the Derby.