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American Idol Runner-Up Willie Spence Dead astatine 23
Members of the American Idol household are honoring Willie Spence's legacy.
The play 19 contestant—who was the runner-up of the contention bid successful 2021—died aft being progressive a car mishap successful Marion County, Tennessee connected Oct. 11. He was conscionable 23 years old.
Following news of his passing, Idol justice Lionel Richie—who not lone praised Spence during his audition but was seen giving the vocalist an contiguous lasting ovation—penned a touching connection successful his honor.
"Your airy volition ever radiance successful this world," Richie wrote alongside an Oct. 12 Instagram video featuring 1 of Spence's performances. "We were truthful blessed to get a accidental to spot you shine. My thoughts and prayers are with Willie's family. Rest good my friend."
Fellow judge Luke Bryan besides remembered Spence's agleam airy that was imminent from the commencement of his audition. "Willie truly did airy up each country helium walked into," helium wrote successful an Instagram Story post connected Oct. 12. "He could alteration the temper instantly erstwhile helium started singing. He volition genuinely beryllium missed."
Katy Perry, who besides served arsenic a justice that season, paid tribute successful the comments conception of a post from the amusement honoring the star, writing, "I emotion you Willie… purest soul. Sing with the angels my darling."
Idol alum Katharine McPhee, who first shared the news of Spence's passing and served arsenic his mentor during the season, besides penned a fewer words in her ain message, writing, "God remainder your soul, Willie. It was a pleasance to sing with you and to cognize you."
Spence archetypal blew the judges distant during his 2021 Idol audition erstwhile helium gave a memorable show of Rihanna's "Diamonds." In summation to Richie giving the vocalist a lasting ovation, the Grammy victor besides called him an "undeniable" star, adding that helium with "the archetypal note, helium had chills."
When asked astir what helium thought his aboriginal would look similar if helium could guess, Spence responded, "I conscionable privation my dependable to scope the satellite and conscionable stock my gift."
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