Chris Tungseth, a blue-collar construction worker from Fergus Falls, takes the stage in Hawaii tonight hoping to vault to the next round of competition on the reality show “American Idol.”
And what makes his accomplishment all the more remarkable, is that Tungseth, who grew up singing for fun, never planned to try out for the show. But fate stepped in when one of Tungseth’s friends signed him up for it without telling him. That led to the 27-year-old scoring an audition and eventually becoming an “American Idol” contestant.
"I'm just a kid from Fergus Falls, Minnesota. I mean, small school, kind of small colleges, I never thought that this would ever happen, especially when you watch it as a kid,” Tungseth said. “It just doesn't seem like real life, you know? And so, being a part of it, I've been telling everyone, honestly, it feels like a dream, like, how is this even my life?"
So far, Tungseth has gotten to sing on three televised performances in front of "American Idol" judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. And they recently advanced him as one of the top 20 finalists.
"There was a lot of joy, but there was also an element of relief. Like, ‘Oh, they saw me, they connect with me, they see something in me,” Tungseth said. So it's just like … a boost of confidence, and it was just such a gift to … be in that position, and for them to push me into the top 20."
One of the songs Tungseth performed in the early going was the English electronic musician Labrinth’s ballad “Jealous.” He said it’s partly a breakup song, but it also speaks to some of the tragedies in his life. Tungseth’s father died in 2023 from leukemia, and his mother is currently living in a nursing home because of multiple sclerosis.
In a clip shown on the show before his performance, Tungseth told his mother he listened to the song “after losing dad,” and it made him think of her.
“Because there's parts in that song where it's like, ‘I'm jealous of the rain that falls upon your skin,’” he said.
His mother, wrought with emotion, told her son, “Share your light.”
Tungseth leaned into music to process what he was going through. But when the show started, he said he was hesitant to share those parts of his life publicly on “American Idol.”
"I never really wanted to use the tragedy in my life to, you know, necessarily help me with my career,” he said. “That was one thing that I guess I was fearful of."
After finding the courage to share his vulnerabilities, Tungseth said he’s received great feedback.
"I had people pouring into me, telling me, ‘This is such a cool way for you to connect with other people who have been in really difficult situations and seasons in life,’" he said.
As the son of a pastor, Tungseth said he grew up singing in church, and it was pretty much his only musical platform outside of some weddings and family gatherings. After hearing he would be auditioning for "American Idol" he knew he had to get some gigs under his belt, so he tuned into the local music scene and started performing at open mics, bars and restaurants.
“Now I go from singing in front of 20 people, 50 people, 100 people, to thousands, and now millions,” Tungseth said. “It's mind blowing. My brain can't comprehend what's happening. But it's honestly a blessing."
One of the venues Tungseth performed at was Outstate Brewing Company in Fergus Falls, nestled on the banks of the Otter Tail River. It’s also a place he worked at in the past. Pat Lundberg is its president and CEO. He said he was not surprised when Tungseth, who looks like a mythological Norseman, with his long hair, beard and tall stature, told him he was going to be on "American Idol."
"Of course you are. I mean, look at you, Thor, God of Thunder,” Lundberg said. “If you look at his personality, he's this larger-than-life kind of a person."
Lundberg said Tungseth's time on "American Idol” has drawn the tight-knit community of Fergus Falls even closer together.
"To have one of our own, quote, unquote, be thrust onto the national stage is really quite special,” he said. “And there is a whole community pulling for him and very, very excited for him."
Tungseth will perform on "American Idol" Monday night at 7 p.m., on ABC. This is the second week of “America’s Vote,” where the audience can vote through the show’s website, text messaging and/or social media, to decide who will advance to the top 14. The results will be revealed on March 30.
But before that, Tungseth has a message for everyone in his home state who has tuned into watching his journey.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you, I'm blown away at the support,” he said. “It’s such an overwhelming feeling of peace and joy seeing that many people care about this process.”
