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- Alexandra Schonfeld
- C.J. Harris. Harris, who placed sixth on American Idol's 13th season in 2014, died on Jan. 15, 2023. He was 31. A spokesperson for the Walker County Coroner confirmed to PEOPLE that Harris died after he was rushed to the Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper, Alabama.
- Willie Spence. Willie Spence died on Oct. 11, 2022, at the age of 23 following a car accident in Jasper, Tennessee. The singer placed second on the competition series in 2021 during season 19.
- Nikki McKibbin. Nikki McKibbin, who competed on American Idol's very first season and finished third after Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, died after an aneurysm on Oct.
- Haley Smith. On September 3, 2019, it was reported that Haley Smith, who auditioned for season 11 of American Idol, had died in a motorcycle crash in Maine.
- Nikki McKibbin (season 1) Nikki McKibbin was part of the very first season of American Idol, which propelled the show and its cast to superstardom. Nikki was part of that winning formula, as the hard rocker made her way to the Final 3 alongside Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini.
- Willie Spence (season 19) Willie Spence hooked audiences with his soulful voice. His talent and personality took him all the way to the finale of Idol season 19 on ABC, where he ultimately finished as runner-up.
- Rickey Smith (season 2) Rickey Smith won America over immediately with his infectious smile and warm personality. He was ultimately eliminated in 8th place on Idol season 2.
- Marque Lynche (season 3) Marque Lynche made the Top 32 of season 3 as the first televised audition of the season, though he did not ultimately made it to the finals.
- Daniel S. Levine
- Season 3: Marque Lynche. Season 3 contestant Marque Lynche made it to the Top 32. He was found dead in his New York City apartment in December 2015. He was 34.
- Season 8: Jessika Baier. Jessika Baier, who auditioned in Season 8, was killed in a car accident in Michigan in December 2009. She was 21. Baker was featured in auditions filmed in Puerto Rico.
- Season 11: Haley Smith. Haley Smith was a contestant during Season 11. She crashed her motorcycle in Millinocket, Maine on Aug. 31, 2019. She was 26. Smith performed a folk version of Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good" that impressed the judges.
- Season 19: Willie Spence. Willie Spence died in a car crash in Tennessee on Oct. 11, 2022. He was only 23. Spence finished second in Season 19 and impressed audiences with his passionate performances.
Nov 1, 2020 · Nov. 1, 2020, 8:28 AM PST / Source: Reuters. "American Idol" alum Nikki McKibbin, who reached the final three on the show's inaugural season in 2002, has died at the age of 42.
- 10 Alexis Cohen
- 9 Nikki Mckibbin
- 8 Haley Smith
- 7 Leah Labelle Vladowski
- 6 Marque Lynche
- 5 Rickey Smith
- 4 Joanne Borgella
- 3 Jessika Baier
- 2 Michael Johns
- 1 Paula Goodspeed
The quirky Alexis Cohen appeared on American Idol twice, first in 2008 and then a year later. Living in a one-room studio apartment in Allentown, Pennsylvania with her mom, Cohen's pursuit of fame and fortune was a classic underdog story that doubtlessly resonated with many viewers. Unfortunately, neither of her performances fared well and she was ...
In the first season of American Idol, Nikki McKibbin wooed the judges with her classic rock-inspired vocals, accomplishing the remarkable feat of coming in third behind Justin Guarini and winner Kelly Clarkson. Following American Idol, she fell into drug and alcohol dependence and appeared on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew. Related: 'American Idol':...
18-year-old Haley Smith impressed judges in Colorado. With her giggly enthusiasm, it was difficult not to be charmed by her youthful effervescence. Her powerful rendition of Chaka Khan and Rufus's 'Tell Me Something Good' astonished the judges, particularly Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, who declared that it was an honor to listen to her voice. Her life...
At the tender age of 16, Leah LaBelle Vladowski surprised judges with her gospel-inspired voice, eventually making it to the final round in season 3. Subsequently, she found fame as a backing singer before embarking on a solo career, enjoying considerable success. She began dating professional basketball player Rasual Butler and was living the drea...
Prior to his appearance on American Idol, Lynche was no stranger to show business and had some success on The New Mickey Mouse Club along with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. He appeared on the third season of American Idol and was a semi-finalist. Sadly, tragedy plagued Lynche: his mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2004 and his father died...
Branded 'the nicest guy in the competition' by Simon Cowell, the charismatic Rickey Smith stirred both the audience and the judges in season 2. His shocking elimination resulted in outrage and boos from members of the audience. Related: Which 'American idol' Judge Has The Highest Salary? But even during his departure he remained upbeat with his inf...
In 2008, 25-year-old Joanne Borgella reached the top 24 in the seventh season. Her sweet and tender voice moved the judges, and, undoubtedly, viewers at home. But it was her rendition of Aretha Franklin's 'I Say A Little Prayer' that left fellow contestants in tears. Despite her moving performance, she was eliminated. After American Idol, she enjoy...
Travelling all the way from Michigan for her audition in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jessika Baier arrived with an excitable pink-clad entourage holding up signs of support. But her rendition of 'I Surrender' by Celine Dion was poorly received, with Cowell visibly perturbed by her performance. She pleaded with the judges to give her a second chance, ins...
Australian contestant Michael Johns amazed the judges with his soulful voice and received overwhelmingly positive feedback, even from the usually snide Simon Cowell, eventually coming into eighth place in season 7. Thereafter, he appeared on the American Idol tour and released a moderately successful solo album. But we will never know what this inc...
Perhaps the most tragic American idol contestant, Paula Abdul superfan Paula Goodspeed auditioned in 2006. What makes the Goodspeed story particularly tragic is the way in which her physical appearance was mocked during her audition. Witnessing the palpable disappointment from Abdul, Goodspeed's biggest idol, must have been painful for the young ho...
Apr 19, 2024 · Died: January 15, 2023. Cause of death: Harris was 31 years old when he died after suffering cariac arrest. Show history: The Jasper, Alabama native competed on “American Idol” Season 13 in ...
Nov 2, 2020 · CNN —. Nikki McKibbin, a contestant on the first season of “American Idol,” has died. She was 42. McKibbin suffered an aneurysm on Wednesday, her husband Craig Sadler announced Saturday in a ...
