'American Idol' Judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry Pay Tribute to Willie Spence After His Death

These two are seriously goals!

Country Thunder Arizona 2023 has announced Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi and Dierks Bentley as the headliners of the music festival.  Others who will be taking the stage include Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Kip Moore, Parmalee, Lonestar, Tracy Byrd, Nate Smith, Randall King, Shane Profitt, Hailey Whitters and The Reklaws. More acts will later be announced.  Country Thunder takes place from April 13 to April 16 at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Arizona.  Luke Bryan is one of the performers who will be heading Country Thunder Arizonia 2023.

Willie Spence’s family is speaking out following his tragic death.

"American Idol" judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie honored runner-up Willie Spence on social media after the singer died at the age of 23. Spence was killed in a car crash on Tuesday afternoon in Jasper, Tennessee, after he drove his SUV off a highway and collided with the back of a parked tractor-trailer. "I love you Willie … purest soul.

Country Thunder Arizona 2023 has announced Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi and Dierks Bentley as the headliners of the music festival.  Others who will be taking the stage include Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Kip Moore, Parmalee, Lonestar, Tracy Byrd, Nate Smith, Randall King, Shane Profitt, Hailey Whitters and The Reklaws. More acts will later be announced.  Country Thunder takes place from April 13 to April 16 at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Arizona.  Luke Bryan is one of the performers who will be heading Country Thunder Arizonia 2023.

killed the “American Idol” star.Spence’s family held their first press conference outside of his grandma’s house in Florida and told reporters how heartbroken they were at his passing, local ABC outlet WLOS reported.“Willie was our gentle giant. He had such a soft demeanor but a very, very powerful voice. When he opened his mouth and lifted the Lord in song, many would just stop in their tracks to listen to him,” said Spence’s cousin Sabrina Cooper.“Now Willie is in heaven, singing the lead in the heaven’s choir.” According to a Tennessee State Trooper, the Jeep that Spence was driving went off the road and crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer which was stopped on the road’s shoulder.

Willie Spence, a runner-up of last year's American Idol, has died in a car crash at the age of 23. The singer's Jeep reportedly "left the roadway" and collided with the back of a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the hard shoulder near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

shows rising star Willie Spence singing just hours before he was fatally killed in a car accident.In one of Spence’s final posts to Instagram — posted a day ago — he is belting out the Christian song “You Are My Hiding Place” while he sits in his parked car.Spence looks emotional as he soulfully sings the song with his eyes closed.The 23-year-old was killed when his car slammed into the back of a parked trailer that was pulled over in the emergency lane on the side of Interstate 24 in Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon.Spence was the runner up on Season 19 of “American Idol,” which aired last year, with Chayce Beckham taking the top spot.Tributes for the young singer have flooded social media, with friends remembering him as a “kind soul” and “true talent.”His “American Idol” mentor Katharine McPhee Foster posted a series of Instagram Stories about the tragedy.“I received very tragic news tonight,” she wrote in an Instagram Story, alongside a clip from “Idol.”“Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old,” she wrote.

Luke Bryan is mourning the sudden and tragic death of former American Idol runner-up Willie Spence, as is the American Idol community.MORE: Luke Bryan shares personal family news that may disrupt his careerThe 23-year-old's death was first reported by TMZ on 12 October, citing a car accident on 11 October as the cause of death. He participated on American Idol in 2021.The country singer was one of the judges that oversaw the late singer's success on the singing competition show, alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.WATCH: Luke Bryan shares helpful farming tip with fansMORE: Luke Bryan admits to difficulties with balancing work and his family lifeLuke took to Instagram to pay tribute to the young talent, sharing a clip the official American Idol page shared of his audition in light of his death.He wrote: "Willie really did light up every room he walked into.

Ethan Shanfeld Willie Spence, who came in second place in “American Idol” Season 19, has died in a car crash. He was 23. Spence was driving from Tennessee to his home in Atlanta when he crashed into a semi-truck that was parked on the side of the road. A post on the “American Idol” Instagram reads, “We are devastated about the passing of our beloved ‘American Idol’ family member, Willie Spence. He was a true talent who lit up every room he entered and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones.” The post features a video of Spence singing Rihanna’s “Diamonds” from his “American Idol” audition. Judges Lionel Ritchie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan praised Spence’s performance, with Bryan saying, “You are a special, special human being. I did not want it to end.”

American Idol runner-up Willie Spence has tragically died aged 23. The talented singer died following a car accident on Tuesday, according to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.MORE: Michael Strahan reveals what he really thinks of co-star George StephanopoulosWillie was a runner-up to Chayce Beckham in the 2021 series of the hit program.

Willie Spence has passed away.

Facebook.NBC reports that the accident happened around 4 p.m. local time in Marion County in East Tennessee.

 season 19 runner-up, has died at the age of 23. According to local media outlet Douglas Now, which is located in Spence's hometown of Douglas, Georgia, the singer died following an automobile accident.  “DouglasNow has learned that Douglas native and  season 19 runner-up Willie Spence, 23, has passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Tennessee,” the news outlet reported.

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. He was 23.