Stars Who Got Rejected by 'American Idol'

"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.

 judges are paying tribute to Willie Spence. The season 19 runner-up recently 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 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

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.

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.

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.

 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.

Former “American Idol” star Willie Spence has passed away at age just 23.

 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.

Douglas Now local news reported that the Season 19 star was in Tennessee at the time of the incident, but no further details are available at the time.Katharine McPhee seems to have confirmed Spence’s death in her Instagram story, sharing videos in his memory. The singer performed a duet with the “American Idol” runner-up during his time on the show.“I received very tragic news tonight. Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident.

Gone too soon. American Idol alum Willie Spence reportedly died after being involved in a car crash. He was 23.

American Idol star Willie Spence has died aged 23 in a car crash in Tennessee, according to reports. He starred on the American talent show just last year, and came in second place behind Chayce Beckham in the final. News of his tragic death was reported by local news publication Douglas Now.

American Idol contestant Willie Spence, who was the runner up for season 19 of the singing competition show, has tragically passed away at the young age of 23. Reports suggest that he may have succumbed to injuries from a car accident.

Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches, and it looks devilishly scary.The streamer is currently rolling out its Anne Rice Television Universe, which includes Mayfair Witches; just premiered last week. For the unfamiliar, Anne Rice is the queen of Gothic fiction who passed away at the end of 2021 and published The Witching Hour in 1990, followed by two sequels: Lasher (1993) and Taltos (1994).

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As told to Photography by Tiffany Mrotek, 35, is director of career pathways at American Forests. She lives in Reston, Virginia, with her husband, Andrew, and her two children, Porter, three, and Harvey, three months.

Randy Jackson and Jennifer Hudson are together again!

reunion on! After hosting Simon Cowell for her daytime debut, Jennifer Hudson was reunited with another member of the show's original judging panel -- Randy Jackson. «Thank you for you voice and bringing your voice to us on the show,» the music legend said to Hudson, recalling their first encounter at her  audition in Atlanta 18 years ago. «I grew up in the church, in the hood. You grew up in the church, probably in the hood too. Singing is what we love, we grow up loving singing in the church,» Jackson shared.