Although Fergus Falls construction worker Chris Tungseth’s journey on “American Idol” ended one show before the championship round, he did perform during the reality series’ season finale a week later.
And to the surprise of many, Tungseth teamed up with Grammy winning hip-hop icon Nelly, for a remix of the Florida Georgia Line hit song “Cruise.”
Tungseth is the first Minnesotan to make it to the semifinals on “American Idol.” Tungseth’s hometown commemorated his achievement Saturday with a celebration in his honor.
The day kicked off with Tungseth ripping through downtown on his uncle’s Harley Davidson to start the parade. He circled back to the end of the procession to wave to fans atop a float decorated to look like a Viking ship.
After the parade, the 27-year-old Tungseth said being an “American Idol” contestant taught him to chase his dream.
“It’s never too late to chase a dream, like when you love something, go after it, right?" he said.
Tungseth said although he didn’t win this season’s “American Idol” competition, he wasn't disappointed.
“The last year has changed my life tremendously. But me as a person, too, just like learning to trust myself and lean into, obviously, my faith,” Tungseth said. “My faith is the most important thing in my life, and just to know that God has the reins, and I’m just along for the ride. And it’s been beautiful."
Tungseth said he will continue his music career and is considering moving to Nashville.
Tungseth didn’t have to wait until the Saturday festivities for Fergus Falls to show love. Earlier in the week, the city erected a new sign near his high school alma mater of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy. Along with the city’s name and population it reads: “Home of American Idol’s Chris Tungseth.”
He said the gesture blew him away.
“I really don’t have words right now, just overwhelming gratitude,” Tungseth said. “That’s kind of the theme of all of this. I came home, knew it was going to be crazy, and it was crazier than I expected in the best way.”
The festivities ended with Tungseth performing a concert on the grounds of the historic Fergus Falls State Hospital in the evening — thousands attended, chanting his name before he took the stage.
After a brief performance by the local opening act American Mojo, the crowd erupted as Tungseth entered.
The first song Tungseth performed was Coldplay's song "Yellow." American Mojo remained on the stage to back him up.
“This is just the craziest experience in my life. And today, I don’t think I ever shed more tears in the last three months than now,” Tungseth said to the crowd after the song. “Being able to look at you guys and just feel the love, you guys blow me away. I love you guys.”
American Mojo frontman Pat Lundberg said the band had just 48 hours to prepare for the concert. Lundberg said it was the largest audience the band has ever performed.
“We had a couple of rehearsals, and here we are,” Lundberg said. “We’re just having a great time being a part of this and supporting him in whatever way we can. We’re excited for him.”
Along with some of the songs that propelled him into the “American Idol” Top 5, other songs from the set list included the Lumineers’ “Ho Hey,” Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros’ “Home,” and Bob Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Road.”
Fergus Falls Mayor Anthony Hicks joined Tungseth on stage to present Tungseth with a golden microphone and to proclaim May 16 as “Chris Tungseth Day.”
“He has put us in the limelight,” Hicks said. “He’s brought the people of Fergus Falls together as residents, as a city, as politicians. Locally everybody has backed this guy.”
“American Idol” highlighted some of the challenges Tungseth had in life — including his father’s 2023 death from leukemia and his mother's multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Fans like Sarah Emery said they connected with Tungseth’s personal journey. She attended the parade as well as the concert, and said Tungseth’s time on “American Idol” helped her weather a difficult time in her own life.
“To see everyone come together and be as one for someone who is just so worth being celebrated. … I had to come,” Emery said.
Tungseth’s biggest fan — his mother, Cathy — couldn’t hold back her excitement.
“He’s just a natural, and he has always had that love of music in him,” she said. “It’s so great to share it with lots of people. And I'm so proud of him.”
