Port Moody’s Tyson Venegas a top 12 American Idol finalist

Tyson Venegas is staying calm and collected, his mom says. His parents? Not so much.

Venegas, a teen from Port Moody who turns 18 this summer, earned an elite top 12 spot on American Idol with after serenading judges and audience with his clear sweet voice, choosing Elton John’s Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.

The show airs on Sunday, April 30.

“Tyson’s feeling good, his dad (Paul) and I had a talk with him the night before his last performance and told him we’re already so proud of him,” Venegas’s mom, Iris Samson, said over the phone from Los Angeles. “We told him have fun, enjoy the moment and he did, he’s relaxed and happy.

“But on pins and needles? Of course we are, Paul and I are absolutely nervous, but are we keeping that secret from Tyson? Absolutely.”