American Idol runner-up Willie Spence dead at 23 :: Dancehall Reggae :: Forums

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Posted October 12, 2022 02:50 PM

“American Idol” runner-up Willie Spence died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 23.

The talented crooner was in Tennessee at the time of the accident, local news outlet Douglas Now reported.

“We are devastated about the passing of our beloved ‘American Idol’ family member, Willie Spence,” the show said in a statement via Twitter. “He was a true talent who lit up every room he entered and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”

Katharine McPhee, who performed a duet with Spence during his Season 19 appearance, posted videos mourning him on her Instagram Story.

“I received very tragic news tonight,” she wrote above a video of her and Spence meeting. “Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised.

“God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”

McPhee, 38, added a series of broken-heart emojis and also reposted the last video Spence shared, which shows him belting out a Christian song in a car, right before the accident.

“He posted this right before the accident [sobbing emoji],” she added.

Fans and followers flooded Spence’s post with comments about the tragic accident.

“Fly and sing with the angels and dance amongst the stars friend! RIH ????????️✨,” commented one.

“My heart is broken and my prayers go out to his family,” he wrote over a photo of Spence. “I was lucky to have him sing for me live at my home and other events, I will miss you my friend. I know you touched so many of us. I’m heart broken.”

During the Season 19 finale, Spence sang “Georgia on My Mind,” “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Stand Up.” Though the judges were moved by his performance, Spence received fewer votes than Chayce Beckham, who became the American Idol.

Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Willie Spence dies in car crash at 23

Former “American Idol” finalist Willie Spence died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a car crash in Tennessee, according to Georgia news outlet Douglas Now. He was 23.

The fan-favorite “Idol” contestant was the runner-up in the competition program‘s 19th season last year. Chayce Beckham was the winner.

Fellow “American Idol” alum Katharine McPhee, who mentored and performed with Spence during Season 19, mourned the singer Tuesday on Instagram.

“I received very tragic news tonight,” McPhee wrote. “Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised. God rest your soul, Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”

The “Smash” star also shared a video that Spence posted on Instagram “right before his accident.” In the clip, Spence passionately belts Selah’s “You Are My Hiding Place” in his car.

During his “American Idol” audition, the vocalist from Douglas, Ga., blew the celebrity judges away with a powerful rendition of Rihanna‘s “Diamonds.” After giving him a standing ovation, Lionel Richie hailed Spence as an “undeniable star,” while Luke Bryan deemed him “a special human being.”

“You, my friend, are so gifted,” Richie said. “On the first note, I had chills. ... That was an enjoyable session to watch.”

In April 2021, Spence released his debut EP, “The Voice,” followed by singles “Never Be Alone” and “The Living Years.”

“I just want my voice to reach the world and share my gift,” he told the judges at his “Idol” audition.

“Hopefully winning a Grammy one day, that’s where I see myself in five years. ... It’s going to take hard work, but I think I can do it.”

'American Idol' runner-up Willie Spence dies at 23 after car crash

Spence finished as runner-up to Chayce Beckham in the show’s 19th season, which aired last year.

Former "American Idol" runner-up Willie Spence died following a car accident on Tuesday, according to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Marion County Medical Examiner.

Spence, 23, finished as runner-up to Chayce Beckham in the show's 19th season, which aired last year.

The crash occurred at around 4 p.m. Tuesday in Marion County in East Tennessee, when Spence's 2019 Jeep Cherokee "left the roadway" and collided with the back of a tractor trailer that was stopped on the shoulder of the east side of Interstate 24, at the 147 mile marker, the report states.

Both Spence, who is originally from Georgia, and the driver of the tractor trailer, who is 68 years old, were wearing seat belts, according to the report.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Highway Patrol said the agency is investigating the incident and why Spence's car veered off the road.

Marion County Medical Examiner Barbara O'Neal said the cause of death was "multisystem trauma due to motor vehicle accident" and that Spence was pronounced dead at the scene.

Just hours before the crash, Spence posted a video of himself singing "You Are My Hiding Place" on his Instagram page.

Willie Spence, American Idol's Season 19 Runner-Up, Dead at 23

Singer Willie Spence, who finished in second place on Season 19 of American Idol in 2021, has died, a family member confirmed to TMZ. He was 23.

Local Georgia news outlet Douglas Now was first to report Spence’s death, sharing on Facebook Tuesday that Spence had passed away from injuries sustained in a Tennessee car accident. Shortly after the news broke, tributes to the performer began to appear on social media, including one from Idol Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee, with whom Spence duetted during Season 19.

“I received very tragic news tonight. Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident,” McPhee wrote in an Instagram story. “Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised. God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”

A Georgia native, Spence became an Idol fan favorite throughout Season 19 with his soulful, gospel-infused performances; his Top 4 cover of John Legend and Common’s “Glory,” which you can revisit below, was especially memorable. Spence ultimately reached the finale alongside Grace Kinstler and Chayce Beckham, with Beckham going on to become that year’s winner.

‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Willie Spence Dies in Car Crash

Willie Spence, a singer who finished as runner-up on Season 19 of American Idol last year, has died. He was 23.

The Douglas, Tennessee native was killed after being involved in a motor vehicle accident, according to a report from local news outlet DouglasNow. Singer-songwriter and fellow American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee confirmed the news on her Instagram Story on Tuesday, October 11, posting a message alongside a video of herself and Spence.

“I received very tragic news tonight,” wrote McPhee, who performed a duet with Spence during the Season 19 finale. “Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised. God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”

McPhee also directed fans to an Instagram Story which Spence had posted just hours before the tragic accident. In the video, Spence sits in his car while performing a rendition of the classic worship song “You Are My Hiding Place.”

“Sweet Willie… you deserved the stars and the moon,” McPhee commented on Spence’s most recent Instagram post, where he revealed he was to perform in London for the first time on November 12. “I’m so sorry for the world to be robbed of more precious time with you. You were an absolute Angel. I know you are up there now with the rest of the angels. God rest your soul.”

Many other fans and friends flooded Spence’s social media pages with tributes. “Wow man, you had such a light. Rest easy,” wrote singer Will Gittens in an Instagram comment, while former American Idol finalist Michael J. Woodard commented, “Rest in peace willie we love you.”

“We will miss your beautiful soul my friend. But we will see you again,” singer and vocal coach Stevie Mackey wrote. Singer Naquan Reese added, “Bro our sessions were unmatched man. I’m in disbelief. Life is crazy.”

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