Nikki McKibbin has died at the age of 42 after reportedly suffering from a brain aneurysm. She rose to fame in 2002 when she finished in third place on the first season of American Idol.
Her former co-star Justin Guarini, who placed second on the show behind Kelly Clarkson, took to social media on Sunday to break the devastating news.
He wrote to his 27,900 Instagram followers: "@realnikkimckibbin was a fiery, funny lady who could sing the Hell out of a rock song with the same kind of ease and command she lovingly used to cut you with her twangy Southern wit.
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