Fergus Falls native and former Hillcrest Lutheran Academy standout athlete Chris Tungseth has been eliminated from American Idol.
The 27-year-old construction tradesman captivated America with his majestic look and golden voice, advancing to the top five with phenomenal performances of songs by Foreigner, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and One Republic.
He was eliminated Monday night despite a strong duet of “The Thunder Rolls” with former American Idol contestant Bucky Covington.
“So many things to say, so many people to thank, so much love left to give,” Tungseth said in a Facebook post on Monday. “THANK YOU. From the bottom of my heart. American Idol has been the craziest rollercoaster ride and I’m so incredibly grateful for every second.”
Tungseth, the last artist to audition for ABC’s American Idol, had strong voting support from the Fergus Falls community and surrounding area.
“Your prayers have been felt, your support has been heard. I feel every bit of it. It’s hard for my little brain to comprehend how unbelievable this experience has been. You guys are seriously the best,” Tungseth said. “I love you more than words can express and I’ll never forget the work God’s done. The ways you guys have poured into me. This has His hand written all over it. The hard work starts now … I’m just getting started. I’ve got good news coming your way soon, stay tuned.”
The City of Fergus Falls is planning a “Welcome Home” concert featuring Tungseth on Saturday, May 16th.
“While a few things need to be finalized in Chris’ schedule, we want you to set aside this date! More information will be released in the coming days, including parade and concert times and logistics,” the city posted to Facebook on Tuesday.
