From the time Iam Tongi won “American Idol” in May 2023, the Hawaii native has said his “dream collaboration” would be with global superstar Fiji, known for his Polynesian reggae and island R&B music. Sadly, Tongi won’t get that chance.
George “Fiji” Veikoso died on July 23, 2025, at the age of 55, according to Hawaii News Now. The Polynesian Music Network announced the influential singer-songwriter’s death on Facebook, writing, “Fiji was more than an artist. He was a movement, a voice for the people, a light in the dark. There was, and always will be, only one Fiji.”
On July 25, Tongi — who was the first Pacific Islander to win “American Idol” — paid tribute to Fiji by posting a video of himself singing one of the artist’s hit songs from 2004, “One and Only.”
In the post’s caption, Tongi wrote, “@f1j1 music has been the soundtrack of my childhood, it’s like theres a Fiji song for every occasion and so many memories. He paved the way for so many Pacific Islander artists and has been a huge inspiration to me and my music. So I’ve always hesitated to cover a Fiji song, because of how much respect I have for his greatness.”
Tongi continued, “it’s hard to pick a favorite song of his but lately this song has been on replay…Forever grateful to have grown up with your music and influence, ‘Ofa Lahi Atu @f1j1 🕊️💙”
Iam Tongis Said He Was ‘Too Nervous’ to Ask Fiji to Collaborate With Him
In May 2024, Tongi told EntertainmentNow that Fiji was one of the musical heroes he’d love to collaborate with one day. Although he did get to meet the artist, Tongi said he was always too nervous to ask him to work on a song together.
“I’m too nervous, but really want to collab with Fiji,” Tongi said. “One of my idols that I grew up with, his name is Fiji. He’s an island singer and man, I met him a couple of times but I just can’t say anything. I just sit there and I’m, like, (speechless).”
A year later, in May 2025, Tongi reiterated his Fiji fandom to People, telling the outlet, “My dream collab is Fiji. He’s a Polynesian singer, and he’s a legend, and not only Polynesian, but just Islanders. All Islanders know who Fiji is, and that’s a dream collaboration.”
“American Idol” posted a separate interview with Tongi on its Instagram feed that same month. When he was asked who had inspired him the most, the 20-year-old responded, “Fiji. He’s really done so much for the community. And just the songs that he’s made — he’s a legend. Shout out to Fiji.”
Shortly after Tongi’s “American Idol” win, he did get to perform on the same stage as Fiji at a benefit concert for Hawaiians impacted by devastating wildfires in 2023, according to American Songwriter.
Fiji Fans Call Iam Tongi’s Tribute ‘Beautiful’
Fans flooded Tongi’s post about Fiji, commiserating over losing a legend and thanking Tongi for honoring him with his music, including one who suggested he add a Fiji song to the set list of his just-announced fall tour.
“Singing his songs is how you honor him,” one wrote. “Beautiful!!!”
Someone else wrote, “Beautiful tribute!! 🙏 RIL to the GOAT King Fiji☝🏽🕊️”
“It’s sad the world has lost another great artist that has impacted so many people through the music that came from the heart,” another follower commented.
Fiji lived in Hawaii for over 30 years with his family, according to ABC Pacific, but returned to Fiji in 2024 for a “homecoming” concert attended by thousands. Fiji had been confined to a wheelchair for several years due to an undisclosed medical condition, per The Fiji Times, but had been planning and promoting a Homecoming Festival in his home country for early September 2025.
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Iam Tongi Mourns Music Icon Fiji With Touching Tribute: ‘He Paved the Way’