MINNEAPOLIS — Even if Chris Tungseth doesn’t win “American Idol,” he’s already made history.

In the 24 seasons of the star-making series, the Fergus Falls construction worker is the first Minnesotan to ever make it to the Top 5. Paris Bennett finished fifth in 2006 and spent part of her childhood in Edina but had moved to Georgia by the time of her audition.

“It’s so fun to see my hometown and all of Minnesota rally behind me,” Tungseth said April 28, the day after he was the last contestant to find out he made the cut. “I still can’t comprehend it in my brain.”

City residents have showed their support by attending watch parties at venues like Outstate Brewing Co., wearing his merch (available on his Instagram page) and flocking to the PioneerCare Center, where Tungseth’s mom is being treated for multiple sclerosis.

If Tungseth makes it to the Top 3 on the May 4 episode, airing at 7 p.m. on ABC, a network crew will capture footage of a May 6 parade with over 50 floats and the largest marching band Fergus Falls has ever assembled.

“Chris is as genuine as it gets and this couldn’t happen to a better person,“ said City Administrator Andrew Bremseth, who promises that the city will still honor the hometown hero in some fashion even if he doesn’t qualify for the May 11 finals. ”We are fully behind him and plan to celebrate him accordingly no matter how this turns out.”

Tungseth, 27, talked about his journey in a Zoom from a Los Angeles hotel room, sporting a West Coast Choppers cap and one of his personalized sweatshirts.

Q: Nice cap. Are you a motorcycle guy?

A: I am. My bike is not currently working. One of the first things I’ll do when I get home is work on it so I can get it going for the summer. I haven’t been back for five weeks. I’m either in this hotel room or in the studio. We do have days off, so I try to get and out and go for walks with Brooks [Rosser]. He’s become my best buddy on the show.

Q: This group seems particularly close. You could just as easily treat each other as enemies.

A: Every person is just a really sweet human being. By the grace of God, we all get this opportunity to sing and we all want each other to win. Being on this journey together is what it’s all about.

Q: Let’s talk about the last episode. You seemed genuinely shocked when they said your name and Brooks and Daniel Stallworth were eliminated.

A: I was excited and grateful. But I was also devastated. I’m good friends with both of them. Brooks came to my room last night and we hung out and chatted. He flew home this morning. I really wanted to see him succeed.

Q: Your song choice was interesting. You did two heart-wrenching ballads (Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” and Taylor Swift and Bon Iver’s “Exile”). Why not a more upbeat choice in there to show your range?

A: We’ve had these different themes the last couple weeks that don’t always include songs in my own lane. I haven’t been able to connect emotionally with the audience. I wanted to bring it back there.

Q: You’re this burly, athletic guy with this supersensitive voice. Were you always comfortable with that? Did your football and motorcycle friends think it was weird?

A: That’s a great question. You know what? I love football, baseball, basketball, the construction business. But deep down, I’ve always had a super soft core. I get that from my dad [Mark Tungseth, who died in 2023], a loveable jock, opera singer, pastor. Just the coolest person ever. Both my parents are the sweetest human beings.

Q: Ryan Seacrest said he thought he knew what you were thinking about when doing “What Was I Made For?” What was that about?

A: Ryan lost his dad a couple weeks before my audition and so we had this special moment back then talking about that. I kind of went into a dark space after losing my dad and didn’t know what I was going to do. Music brought me out of that space.

Q: I think America has fallen in love with your hair.

A: I’ve never done anything with my hair before. Just get in the shower and put on Head & Shoulders. I give all the credit to the hairstyling and wardrobe team. Dean [Banowetz] did hair for Simon Cowell and Kelly Clarkson. He’s the best of the best. He loves it. I’m the only guy this year with long hair. I get called down the same time as all of the girls. So, I’m sitting there getting my hair done next to Hannah Harper while the guys are upstairs drinking coffee.

Q: Now you’ll have to look like that all the time.

A: I’m in trouble.

Q: What do you think your chances are of winning?

A: I don’t have an answer for that. Yesterday, I was thinking, “Lord, you’ve had the reins since the beginning. Keep me here as long as you want. I’m just going to enjoy the ride.”

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