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Left too early. While many aspiring musicians got their big breaks on the american idol stage over the years, a handful lost their lives soon after.
Nikki McKibbin, who appeared alongside Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini in season 1, died in November 2020 at the age of 42. The fear factor alum, who finished third in the competition’s first season in 2002, suffered a brain aneurysm several weeks before his death.
“She would have left already, but she is an organ donor and was kept on life support to make this possible,” McKibbin’s husband said. Craig Sadler, wrote via Facebook at the time. “It should come as no surprise to us. Even in the end, she always gives. She was so loved that I know thousands of you will mourn with us. I only have a few hours left to hold her hand and kiss her forehead.
McKibbin – who returned to the reality show in 2014 when his son Tristan Langley auditioned – was later honored by Guarini.
“@realnikkimckibbin was a feisty, funny woman who could sing the hell of a rock song with the same kind of ease and command she used to lovingly cut you with her southern twangy spirit,” the Broadway vet — who placed second behind Clarkson — wrote via Instagram following the death of his former competitor. “Even in our twenties when we were on american idol together I could tell she had had a tough life and few people had been kind to her along the way. … After the kind of emotional beatings she took at the hands of the masses, she deserved to feel good about herself, even for a little while. Rest well, ‘Gypsy’…and thank you for the laughter, the ruthless teasing, the strength, the vulnerability, the love and the friendship you showed me during our time together in the spotlight.
McKibbin is not alone american idol alum who died after his reality TV tenure. We Weekly confirmed in August 2019 that Haley Smith was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.
Smith, who notably auditioned for the jury in Season 11, was pronounced dead by officers at the scene in Millinocket, Maine, after she failed to make a sharp turn while riding her motorcycle.
The late Utah native has already wowed Jennifer Lopez, steven tyler and Randy Jackson in 2012 with his folk interpretation of Rufus and Shaka Khan“Tell me something good.”
“We are sorry to hear of Haley Smith’s passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family,” a statement said. Tweeter from the show’s official account read after news of his death made headlines.
Scroll below for more american idolThe greatest tragedies of over the years:
Credit: Sara De Boer/starraksphoto.com; Tony DiMaio/startraksphoto.com; Johnny Nunez/startraksphoto.com; INFevents.com
Former ‘American Idol’ Contestants Gone Too Soon: Show Alumni Who Died
Left too early. While many aspiring musicians got their big breaks on the american idol stage over the years, a handful lost their lives soon after.
Nikki McKibbin, who appeared alongside Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini in season 1, died in November 2020 at the age of 42. The fear factor alum, who finished third in the competition’s first season in 2002, suffered a brain aneurysm several weeks before his death.
“She would have left already, but she is an organ donor and was kept on life support to make this possible,” McKibbin’s husband said. Craig Sadler, wrote via Facebook at the time. “It should come as no surprise to us. Even in the end, she always gives. She was so loved that I know thousands of you will mourn with us. I only have a few hours left to hold her hand and kiss her forehead.
McKibbin – who returned to the reality show in 2014 when his son Tristan Langley auditioned – was later honored by Guarini.
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“@realnikkimckibbin was a feisty, funny woman who could sing the hell of a rock song with the same kind of ease and command she used to lovingly cut you with her southern twangy spirit,” the Broadway vet — who placed second behind Clarkson — wrote via Instagram following the death of his former competitor. “Even in our twenties when we were on american idol together I could tell she had had a tough life and few people had been kind to her along the way. … After the kind of emotional beatings she took at the hands of the masses, she deserved to feel good about herself, even for a little while. Rest well, ‘Gypsy’…and thank you for the laughter, the ruthless teasing, the strength, the vulnerability, the love and the friendship you showed me during our time together in the spotlight.
McKibbin is not alone american idol alum who died after his reality TV tenure. We Weekly confirmed in August 2019 that Haley Smith was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.
Smith, who notably auditioned for the jury in Season 11, was pronounced dead by officers at the scene in Millinocket, Maine, after she failed to make a sharp turn while riding her motorcycle.
The late Utah native has already wowed Jennifer Lopez, steven tyler and Randy Jackson in 2012 with his folk interpretation of Rufus and Shaka Khan“Tell me something good.”
“We are sorry to hear of Haley Smith’s passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family,” a statement said. Tweeter from the show’s official account read after news of his death made headlines.
Scroll below for more american idolThe greatest tragedies of over the years:
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Credit: Robb Cohen/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Willie Spence
The Georgia native died in October 2022 after being injured in a car accident in Tennessee, according to local media. He was 23 years old.
Katharine McPhee mourned the “tragic” loss in an Instagram story at the time, reflecting on the time she shared with Spence as a mentor during season 19 of the singing competition. “Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised. God rest your soul in peace Willie. It was a pleasure singing with you and getting to know you,” she wrote at the time.
Credit: Sara De Boer/starraksphoto.com
Nikki McKibbin
After being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, McKibbin died in November 2020. She was 42.
“Nikki was a superstar the moment she walked into the auditions – she set the bar high with her talent and memorable stage presence,” american idol host Ryan Seacrest tweeted at the time. “It has been an honor to watch her grow and inspire millions. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans who mourn this tragic loss.”
Credit: Tony DiMaio/starraksphoto.com
Lea LaBelle
LaBelle, who shot to fame as a contestant on Season 3 in 2004, died after a car accident in January 2018 at the age of 31. The musician and her husband, NBA athlete Rasual Butler, were both in the car when Butler lost control. The duo is survived by the late Chicago Bulls athlete’s daughter from a previous relationship, Raven Butler.
“.@leahlabelle was beautiful and had the voice of an ANGEL. She was my choice of joker on @AmericanIdol”, former judge Paula Abdul tweeted. “I am heartbroken to know that she and her husband @RasualButler45 have passed away. What an awful tragedy. I send my love and deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Credit: Youtube
Ricky Smith
The Season 2 runner-up was killed in a car accident in May 2016. He was 36 years old. TMZ reported at the time that Smith was driving on the freeway in Oklahoma City when another car caused a head-on collision.
Credit: Johnny Nunez/starraksphoto.com
Joanne Borgella
Borgella, a season 7 contestant, died at the age of 32 after a long battle with endometrial cancer.
“To God be the glory! With heavy hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Joanne,” her family wrote in an October 2014 statement shared via Facebook. “On Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 5:45 a.m., Joanne Borgella Ramirez was called by the Lord to heaven. From an early age, Joanne made the choice to serve and trust in the Lord; and since her diagnosis there have been more than Year one Joanne chose to also be a fighter and share her journey with the world. Her faith, “Courage and strength were unwavering through every obstacle she encountered. Although our family suffers from this great loss, we find comfort in the closeness Joanne shared with the Lord. We know his spirit still shines and will live on in heaven.”
Credit: INFevents.com
Michael Johns
Johns, who also appeared on Season 7, died in August 2014 after suffering a blood clot in his ankle, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 35 years old.
“I have just learned the very sad news of the death of Michael Johns”, Simon Cowell tweeted at the time, remembering Johns’ eighth-place finish. “A really great guy. Rest in peace Michel.”
Credit: Youtube
Haley Smith
Smith’s father, mike smithtold TMZ after his death that he believed a deer may have caused the fatal motorcycle accident, noting that Haley was a “good rider” and likely lost control.
Credit: Youtube
Brand ‘Tate’ Lynch
The The All-New Mickey Mouse Club alum briefly appeared on season 3 of american idolgetting knocked out ahead of the Top 12 cut. Lynche was found dead in his New York City apartment in December 2015. The musician, who was 34 at the time, is believed to have died of acute and chronic alcoholism, according to TMZ.
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
CJ Harris
Harris, who finished in the top six on the reality show’s 2014 season, died after suffering an apparent heart attack, his family told TMZ in January 2023. The Season 13 alum was 31 .
Fans of the show may recall then-judge Keith Urban spouting Harris’ voice, telling him, “You sing because you have to sing, not because you want to sing. … I mean it in the deepest way. And that’s why it’s so believable and real.”
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