Willie Spence, ‘American Idol’ Season 19 runner-up, useless at 23

USA Prime Time
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Willie Spence, a singer who as a teen went viral along with his rendition of Rihanna’s hit “Diamonds” and was the runner up on Season 19 on “American Idol, has died the present confirmed in a social media posting on Wednesday.

He was 23 years previous.

“We are devastated concerning the passing of our beloved American Idol member of the family, Willie Spence,” read the caption on a video of Spence’s “Idol” audition, posted on the show’s verified Instagram account. “He was a real expertise who lit up each room he entered and might be deeply missed. We ship our condolences to his family members.”

The singer was killed in a automobile accident in Tennessee on Tuesday, in accordance with USA Prime Time affiliate WSB, citing the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Spence was driving an SUV when he went off the highway and crashed right into a automobile that was stopped on the shoulder, in accordance with the accident report.

TMZ also reported {that a} member of the family confirmed to them that Spence died after a crash.

USA Prime Time has reached out to representatives for Spence.

The West Palm Beach, Florida native relocated along with his household to Georgia as a baby. It was whereas singing in his native highschool that Spence was first found.

A video of him singing “Diamonds” in what gave the impression to be a classroom in 2017 went viral and has since racked up greater than 15 million views on YouTube.

The efficiency landed him an look on Steve Harvey’s daytime discuss present. Spence additionally selected to perform the song for his audition for “American Idol” in 2021.

He blew judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan away with Richie declaring Spence “unbelievable” and Bryan saying he didn’t need the singer’s efficiency to finish.

“When you concentrate on your future, and you concentrate on the voice you might have trigger you understand it stops folks of their tracks, that is the magic you might have, in 5 years what would you like it to seem like?” Perry requested Spence. “In your wildest goals, if nothing was standing in your manner?”

“I simply need my voice to achieve the world and simply share my reward,” Spence replied. “Hopefully successful a Grammy at some point. That’s the place I see myself in 5 years.”

“American Idol” fifth season runner up Katharine McPhee Foster took to her Instagram tales to put up a tribute to Spence, who she met on “Idol” throughout his season.

“I acquired very tragic information tonight. Sweet @williespenceofficial handed away in a automobile accident,” she wrote on her Instastory together with a video of her and Spence from the present. “Only 23 years previous. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised. God relaxation your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”

She additionally shared his ultimate Instagram posting, a video of himself in a car singing the Christian tune “You Are My Hiding Place.”