Ronda, the judgesand nearby medical professionals rushed to her aid, with Lukeremarking that the performer "busted her chin.". (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson, File), WATCH LIVE: Polis to announce plan to reduce property taxes. We send our condolences to his loved ones., I love you Willie, American Idol panelist Katy Perry commented on the post. Tonight on American Idol, the competition heats up as the Top 12 contestants perform for superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on The often acid-tongued Simon Cowell was equally gracious. The Smash star also shared a video that Spence posted on Instagram right before his accident. In the clip, Spence passionately belts Selahs You Are My Hiding Place in his car. I received very tragic news tonight, McPhee wrote. Former American Idol contestant C.J. Ill miss your random phone calls asking for life advice and talking about the music world There are a lot of things I realize I will never understand you leaving us so soon is one of those things.. He was 41. McKibbin finished third on the show that year, behind Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, who won the competition. I just want my voice to reach the world and share my gift, he told the judges at his Idol audition. "Reality check: Out of 10,000 people, you are third. It was still an unhinged performance Ryan said he burned calories just watching her, and she had lipstick on her chin by the songs end but it kind of worked. By the time he was finished, the sweet island crooner, who is quickly becoming the odds-on favorite to win Season 21, had the audience cheering so enthusiastically that Katys critique was barely audible above the din. Justin Timberlake shouldn't get credit for 'It's Gonna Be May' meme. Americas Got Talent contestant Nightbirde dies after - CNN She loved so many of you and I know you loved her too.. Tributes have flooded in for former American Idol contestant, CJ Harris, who died on Monday (January 16) at the age of 31. You are magic. We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence, read a statement on the American Idol Instagram page. 1 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart in July 2002 and reigned atop the list for two weeks. McKibbins husband, Craig Sadler, confirmed her death in a Facebook post, saying that she had died after suffering a brain aneurysm on Wednesday and was taken off life support early Sunday. Harris, who competed on Season 13 and placed sixth overall, died Sunday at age 31 following a medical emergency, a Web'American Idol' finalist Nikki McKibbin has died after suffering an aneurysm. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. WebVisit The official American Idol online at ABC.com. And this time, the judges could not save either of them. Hollywood Week continued on "American Idol" Monday night, bringing plenty of duet drama and tense moments. McKibbins husband, Craig Sadler, confirmed her death in a Facebook post, saying that she had died after suffering a brain aneurysm on Wednesday and was taken off life support early Sunday. Later, Lionel was seeninforming Ronda that even before Funke collapsed, the judges had decided to send both singers to the next round. American Idol contestant Funke Lagoke passed out onstage during the March 22 episode, just as judges were about to reveal her future with the show. Updated Apr 23, 2023 at 11:21pm. TheAlabama native was rushedto the Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper, where he was later pronounced dead. Tonight on American Idol, the competition heats up as the Top 12 contestants perform for superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night. His debut single, In Love, was released in 2019. The crowd is saying it all for us, said Lionel. "I just am worried about her health, that's the number one thing. Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox and don't forget to join our Watch This Facebook Group for daily TV recommendations and discussions with other readers. But she got an A for effort, I guess. Rickey Smith. The season 2 finalist was killed in a May 2016 car accident. 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M Becker/American Idol 2008/Getty Images for FOX Michael Johns auditions for American Idol season 7 at Qualcomm Stadium on July 30, 2007 in San Diego, California. Your talent and smile will be missed, and the world is definitely a darker and eerily quieter place without you in it, she wrote. Adam Lambert talks 'Witch Hunt' tour, lifelong love of makeup: 'I didn't know any other boys who painted their faces after school', It's not ladies' night, and the feeling's not right: 8 divas land in 'American Idol' bottom 10, Adam Lambert talks 'High Drama' album, full-circle Jobriath cover: 'I know what my brand is now, more than ever', 'Our country has f***ing failed us! As for the two hours leading up to this double-elimination, Sundays episode was full of full-circle moments for Season 8 runner-up Lambert. 0:00. 'American Idol' contestant Michael Johns dies "American Idol" contestant Michael Johns, who appeared in season 7 of the hit Fox singing competition and was "What an incredible journey this has been, McKibbin said before leaving the stage. Spence, 23, finished as runner-up to Chayce The often acid-tongued Simon Cowell was equally gracious. Zach almost did Paul McCartneys ballad Maybe Im Amazed, which on paper might have seemed like a better heartstring-tugging choice. Get exclusive videos, blogs, photos, cast bios, free episodes and more. Fox says life with Parkinson's is 'getting harder': "I'm not gonna be 80'. Among the hopefuls was Tyson Venegas, who serenades judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, to grab a spot in the Top 10. Wyatt Pike, right, duets with Ben Rector on American Idol on April 4. Last week, Colin had a huge breakthrough covering Robyns Dancing on My Own, but that was just a victory-lap performance. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Nikki McKibbin, a singer from Texas best known for her third place finish in the first season of American Idol, has died. Fellow American Idol alum Katharine McPhee, who mentored and performed with Spence during Season 19, mourned the singer Tuesday on Instagram. McKibbin placed third on the show's first season in 2002. Later, the show confirmed that Funke had gone on to make a full recovery, having been treated for dehydration, and she will return for the upcoming Showstopper Round. Theyll be back Monday for the Judges Song Contest, after which only seven will advance. USA TODAY. Former "American Idol" runner-up Willie Spence died after a car accident Tuesday, authorities said. The Top 10 contestants advanced to the judges' song contest with their stirring performances. Where was that Stevie Ray Vaughan solo? But she and her fellow judges couldnt get enough of Olivers lovely voice, so they just encouraged himself to keep pushing himself creatively and putting his own stamp on his covers. Her husband did not say where she died. McKibbin finished third on the show that year, behind Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, who won the competition. ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Review: White House Plumbers reenacts the mishaps of Watergates operatives for laughs, Sophie Turner accidentally posts video of her and Joe Jonas kid: An honest mistake, The 10 best things we saw at Willie Nelsons 90th birthday concert, A hardcore coming-of-age novel nails the glitter and grime of L.A.s 80s metal scene, Get ready for the 2023 Met Gala: Heres when, and how, to tune in live. American Idol contestant Funke Lagoke was rushed to hospital after collapsing on stage during the show's Hollywood Week round. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Former American Idol finalist Willie Spence died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a car crash in Tennessee, according to Georgia news outlet Douglas Now. ARLINGTON, Texas Nikki McKibbin, a singer from Texas best known for her third place finish in the first season of American Idol, has died. Show history: The Jasper, Alabama native competed on By Julianne McShane. She was 42. Purest soul. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this difficult time. Gracious in defeat, McKibbin tearfully hugged her fellow contestants when she was voted out in 2002. After the medical professionals took Funke off on a stretcher, Lionel walked over to Ronda and told her that both she and Funke would be continuing on in the competition. Hopefully winning a Grammy one day, thats where I see myself in five years. She was part of our American Idol family and will be truly missed.. Last Monday on American Idol Season 21, when the top 20 became the top 12, a whopping eight divas were up for elimination, and the judges chose to save two of them: soulful belter Lucy Love, and flashy Vegas-style entertainer Nutsa. While Lionel Richie told her, You took my song and made it your song; Katy Perry said, You bodied that song; and Luke Bryan said, I am so glad we brought you back, a ballad like Running With the Night or even Hello would have been a smarter direction for Lucy. Jessica Meuse, who starred alongside Harris on season 13 ofIdol,took to Instagram on Monday to share a tribute to C.J. -- A finalist on American Idol has died in a vehicle crash in Tennessee. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. She was 42. Get our L.A. But Warren was unmistakably doing the Animals version, because this sure did rock. Please bear with me as I respond to everyone's messages, calls & texts. All rights reserved. The 38-year-old singer and her American Idol co-star Lionel Richie are both due to The fan-favorite Idol contestant was the runner-up in the competition programs 19th season last year. Schwarzenegger and DeVito reunite for White House dinner, Jack Nicholson makes rare public appearance and more celebrity news you missed this weekend, Ashley Judd reflects on mom Naomi's 'irreplaceable loss' a year after the country star's death, Michael J. Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Youre just Zachariah, and theres no one else like you, said Katy. Below are the 10 performances from Sundays surviving singers. W was waffling between covering Etta James or Tina Turner, so she brought the best of both awesome worlds to the stage and did a completely ferocious, Tina-like Etta cover. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. The Texas singer appeared on American Idol in 2002, when the show started and became an instant hit. Willie Spence, a singer who placed second on American Idol in 2021, died in a car accident in Tennessee on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. She was previously a Times intern after graduating from UCLA and has also worked at Variety, the Hollywood Reporter and CNN. And once again, America had chosen to eliminate Lucy and Nutsa. After the first round of cuts You sound dope on it. Im glad that Zachariah, wearing a sequined blazer that looked like itd been nicked from Adams walk-in wardrobe, took this advice not just because Electric Light Orchestra isnt covered nearly enough on these talent shows, but because his Dont Bring Me Down really brought the mood up, up, up. Its playful. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, Concertgoer lets out a loud full body orgasm while L.A. Phil plays Tchaikovskys 5th, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! It didnt work well enough, obviously, but the lady didnt go down without a fight, which Luke admired. Im always delighted to hear ABBA covers in any TV singing competiton, especially when a radical-remake rearrangement proves just what great songcrafters Bjrn, Benny, Agnetha, and Anni-Frid always were. Pronstico local: Se esperan temperaturas en los 70 con tormentas aisladas esta semana, Sean Connery, the iconic James Bond actor, dead at 90, Travis Roy, hockey player paralyzed 11 seconds into 1st college game, dies at 45. This was the first time Id really heard Iam belt, and he nailed this Sam Cooke standard. She was 26 years (Robb Cohen / Invision / Associated Press), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, American Idol was a game-changer in television and beyond. McKibbin's son, Tristen Langley, told The New York Times that his mother died in Arlington, Texas. She was 42. Willie Spence, the American Idol runner-up in the 2021 Season 19 of the competition series, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a car accident in Tennessee. When Luke praised Funke's voice, Katy replied that "she wasn't perfect!". Digital Spy's digital magazine is back! You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. What Adam Lambert told you was so right: You are the reason American Idol works, said a verge-of-tears Luke. Harris, who placed sixth on the shows 13th season in 2014, has passed away. "It's absolutely amazing news but I can't say I'm happy in this moment," a visibly upset Ronda replied candidly. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. Im a mess. Theres nothing we can say, that I can say. Temperatures stay in the 70s for much of this week! It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh, his family said in a statement to the BBC. Funke, whose initial audition had not been televised, also shared that she had received three stitches. Based on Sundays performances, as well as this show's overall voting patterns which have favored male and folk/country/rock contestants, I think the singers most in danger are Marybeth Byrd, Haven Madison, Zachariah Smith, and Tyson Venegas. Just to know that so many people support me and enjoy what I do means more than anything in the world.. Because you have all the tools to turn into that.. After the performance, the judges conferred privately, and cameras picked up some of their criticism, particularly from Katy Perry. I grew up in the church, playing gospel music and singing in the choir. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Nikki McKibbin, a singer from Texas best known for her third place finish in the first season of American Idol, has died. Willie Spence, 23, died Tuesday after hitting the rear of a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the McKibbins husband, Craig Sadler, confirmed her death in a Facebook post, saying that she had died after suffering a brain aneurysm on Wednesday and was taken off life support early Sunday. See the Man, I need a drink. By Corky Siemaszko. I looked at Katys face a couple of times, and Id never seen her look like that it was quite distorted! chuckled Luke, adding, It was mesmerizing. He was 23. Unfortunately, Spence is one of several Idol contestants who have died since they appeared on the show. Before Spence's death, the most recent Idol contestant who passed away was Nikki McKibbin. She was one of the first Idol singers, having appeared in the show's first season. She suffered a brain aneurysm and was only 42. Gracious in defeat, McKibbin tearfully hugged her fellow contestants when she was voted out in 2002. BBC music reporter Former American Idol contestant Nikki McKibbin has died in the US at the age of 42. "Reality check: Out of 10,000 people, you are third. You are the one, she said. Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners office. It was good, but not great, because it simply didnt have that element of surprise. In Monday night's episode Oct. 12, 2022 8:36 AM PT. Tyson Venegas, a Canadian teen from Port Moody, B.C., has made it to the Top 12 on this season of American Idol. ``Youve got a career ahead of you., RELATED: Sean Connery, the iconic James Bond actor, dead at 90, RELATED: Travis Roy, hockey player paralyzed 11 seconds into 1st college game, dies at 45. Now, when I get on stage in front of these crowds, it doesnt matter if I have my eyes closed.