Willie Spence, 'American Idol' Season 19 runner-up, dead at 23 |



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Willie Spence, a vocalist who arsenic a teen went viral on with his rendition of Rihanna’s deed “Diamonds” and was the runner up connected Season 19 connected “American Idol, has died the amusement confirmed successful a societal media posting connected Wednesday.

He became 23 years vintage.

“We are devastated astir the passing of our cherished American Idol subordinate of the family, Willie Spence,” study the caption connected a video of Spence’s “Idol” audition, posted astatine the display’s validated Instagram account. “He became a existent expertise who lit up each country helium entered and tin beryllium profoundly neglected. We nonstop our condolences to his loved ones.”

The vocalist was killed successful a automobile twist of destiny successful Tennessee connected Tuesday, according to subordinate WSB, mentioning the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Spence changed into riding an SUV whilst helium went disconnected the roadworthy and crashed close into a car that was stopped connected the shoulder, successful measurement with the twist of destiny report.

TMZ besides stated that a subordinate of the household confirmed to them that Spence died aft a crash.

has reached retired to representatives for Spence.

The West Palm Beach, Florida autochthonal relocated on with his household to Georgia arsenic a infant. It was astatine the aforesaid clip arsenic making a opus successful his adjacent excessive assemblage that Spence go archetypal found.

A video of him making a opus “Diamonds” successful what regarded to beryllium a survey country successful 2017 went viral and has successful presumption that racked up much than 15 cardinal perspectives connected YouTube.

The show landed him an quality connected Steve Harvey’s daylight hours talk display. Spence additionally selected to carry retired the opus for his audition for “American Idol” successful 2021.

He blew judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan distant with Richie maintaining Spence “improbable” and Bryan announcing helium did not request the singer’s show to end.

“When you see your destiny, and you bespeak onconsideration connected the dependable you person motive you recognize it stops humans successful their tracks, this is the magic you person got, successful 5 years what bash you request it to look like?” Perry requested Spence. “In your wildest goals, if thing changed into presumption successful your way?”

“I conscionable request my dependable to scope the arena and simply percent my gift,” Spence spoke back. “Hopefully winning a Grammy 1 day. That’s successful which I spot myself successful 5 years.”

“American Idol” 5th play runner up Katharine McPhee Foster took to her Instagram stories to enactment up a tribute to Spence, who she met connected “Idol” astatine immoderate signifier successful his season.

“I received precise tragic accusation this night. Sweet @williespenceofficial surpassed distant successful a car accident,” she wrote connected her Instastory unneurotic with a video of her and Spence from the display. “Only 23 years vintage. Life is truthful unfair and not thing is ever promised. God remainder your psyche Willie. It turned into a delight to sing with you and to recognize you.”

She additionally shared his precise past Instagram posting, a video of himself successful a conveyance making a opus the Christian way “You Are My Hiding Place.”