American Idol: Last News

shows rising star Willie Spence singing just hours before he was fatally killed in a car accident.In one of Spence’s final posts to Instagram — posted a day ago — he is belting out the Christian song “You Are My Hiding Place” while he sits in his parked car.Spence looks emotional as he soulfully sings the song with his eyes closed.The 23-year-old was killed when his car slammed into the back of a parked trailer that was pulled over in the emergency lane on the side of Interstate 24 in Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon.Spence was the runner up on Season 19 of “American Idol,” which aired last year, with Chayce Beckham taking the top spot.Tributes for the young singer have flooded social media, with friends remembering him as a “kind soul” and “true talent.”His “American Idol” mentor Katharine McPhee Foster posted a series of Instagram Stories about the tragedy.“I received very tragic news tonight,” she wrote in an Instagram Story, alongside a clip from “Idol.”“Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old,” she wrote.

Luke Bryan is mourning the sudden and tragic death of former American Idol runner-up Willie Spence, as is the American Idol community.MORE: Luke Bryan shares personal family news that may disrupt his careerThe 23-year-old's death was first reported by TMZ on 12 October, citing a car accident on 11 October as the cause of death. He participated on American Idol in 2021.The country singer was one of the judges that oversaw the late singer's success on the singing competition show, alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.WATCH: Luke Bryan shares helpful farming tip with fansMORE: Luke Bryan admits to difficulties with balancing work and his family lifeLuke took to Instagram to pay tribute to the young talent, sharing a clip the official American Idol page shared of his audition in light of his death.He wrote: "Willie really did light up every room he walked into.

Douglas Now local news reported that the Season 19 star was in Tennessee at the time of the incident, but no further details are available at the time.Katharine McPhee seems to have confirmed Spence’s death in her Instagram story, sharing videos in his memory. The singer performed a duet with the “American Idol” runner-up during his time on the show.“I received very tragic news tonight. Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident.

American Idol runner-up Willie Spence has tragically died aged 23. The talented singer died following a car accident on Tuesday, according to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.MORE: Michael Strahan reveals what he really thinks of co-star George StephanopoulosWillie was a runner-up to Chayce Beckham in the 2021 series of the hit program.

American Idol star Willie Spence has died aged 23 in a car crash in Tennessee, according to reports. He starred on the American talent show just last year, and came in second place behind Chayce Beckham in the final. News of his tragic death was reported by local news publication Douglas Now.

 season 19 runner-up, has died at the age of 23. According to local media outlet Douglas Now, which is located in Spence's hometown of Douglas, Georgia, the singer died following an automobile accident.  “DouglasNow has learned that Douglas native and  season 19 runner-up Willie Spence, 23, has passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Tennessee,” the news outlet reported.

 season 19 runner-up, has died at the age of 23. According to local media outlet Douglas Now, which is located in Spence's hometown of Douglas, Georgia, the singer died following an automobile accident.  “DouglasNow has learned that Douglas native and  season 19 runner-up Willie Spence, 23, has passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Tennessee,” the news outlet reported.

reunion on! After hosting Simon Cowell for her daytime debut, Jennifer Hudson was reunited with another member of the show's original judging panel -- Randy Jackson. «Thank you for you voice and bringing your voice to us on the show,» the music legend said to Hudson, recalling their first encounter at her  audition in Atlanta 18 years ago. «I grew up in the church, in the hood. You grew up in the church, probably in the hood too. Singing is what we love, we grow up loving singing in the church,» Jackson shared.

Simon Cowell has said he “wouldn’t be here today” if not for the success of Kelly Clarkson, as the singer was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.The star got her big break when she won first ever season of American Idol, which launched her into superstardom all the way back in 2002.The music mogul, 62, said Kelly, 40, was “one of the most loyal, talented” people he had helped throughout his career, as he spoke at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Monday. He was joined by fellow his judges from the original series, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, who also praised Kelly before her star was unveiled. Reminiscing on to the days to when he first met Kelly, Simon told her: "I remember not just your voice but your personality.

Kelly Clarkson's  family came out in full force to support the singer and talk show host at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony Monday. The original judging panel — Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul -- were on hand to help pay tribute to Clarkson.The trio posed for photos with Clarkson as she proudly displayed her star and cemented her place in Hollywood history.Cowell spoke at the ceremony, praising Clarkson and the career she's had since winning the singing competition during its inaugural season.«We were just talking about the moment when you sang 'Respect,' and we all looked at each other, and it was like, 'Oh.

Kelly Clarkson was honored with her own star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, and the celebrated singer and TV personality beamed as she basked in the celebratory glow of the achievement.Clarkson spoke with ET's Cassie DiLaura after the big event — where she was reunited with original  judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson — and Clarkson reflected on what it was like to be «cemented in history» on the Walk of Fame.«Wow, how you just said it kind of freaked me out, that's crazy. I didn't really think about it like, that but it's incredible,» Clarkson shared. «I mean, you know, you've seen these pictures since you were a kid, with all these major people that influenced you artistically in your life, and it's cool to be a part of that.»«Especially like right in front of where I won [] 20 years ago,» added Clarkson, whose star is located right in front of the Dolby Theater on Hollywood Blvd.

Jennifer Hudson has officially made her daytime talk show debut! The EGOT winner kicked off the premiere season of on Monday, beginning the episode with a reflection on her long-time dream of hosting her own show.«Thank y'all for being here. I'm not gonna cry on y'all,» Hudson told her audience.

Kelly Clarkson is living for a moment like this. The 40-year-old superstar recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her historic win while gearing up for the fourth season of her eponymous talk show. On Sept.

“It’s a no from me, dawg.”A resurfaced video from the first season of “American Idol” in 2002 has Twitter users doing a double take at a blonde, energetic hopeful who very much resembles Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.However, the woman in the video — which has 1.2 million views and over 37,900 likes since it was posted on Sunday — claims her name is Stefanie Sugarman, 23, and says she is from Alta Loma, California, despite Greene hailing from the Peach State.“My biggest worry right now is telling work how I’m going to miss Monday. Calling in sick.

Jennifer Hudson is kicking off her daytime talk show with a blast from the past! On Friday, it was announced that the EGOT winner will reunite with former  judge Simon Cowell on the series premiere of. The reunion will be the pair's first sit-down conversation since she placed seventh on season 3 of the singing competition series in 2004. Last month, Hudson told Dallas station KERA-TV that Cowell would be her dream guest, saying that it would be «awesome» to reunite with the judge who helped her get her start.«I think it would be so interesting,» she explained. " was 18 years ago so why not? I think people will be interested who've followed my journey for 20 years.

in 2020, revealed on Instagram that she was hospitalized and that she «seriously» needed help.Diaz initially revealed her hospitalization stay Wednesday when she posted in an Instagram Story, «Thank you to everyone that checked on me. I am ALIVE and out of the hospital.» Then, on Friday, Diaz again took to her Instagram story and thanked everyone for the prayers.

on “The Adam Sank Show” that while he was competing on the show’s sixth season in 2007, he was scrutinized from his talent right down to his sexuality.“I grew up in a time when being called a f—-t in school was the worst thing that could ever happen to you. You had to be as hyper-masculine as possible to fit in,” said Malakar.“And coming up in 2007, it was like, ‘Being gay is OK, but you have to define yourself, and there’s this or that.'”Malakar said that while he was on “Idol,” several of his fans speculated that he wasn’t entirely straight despite the fact that he has a long-term girlfriend at the time.He claimed several of his publicists told him that he should remain “ambiguous” about his sexuality.“‘No one needs to know anything about anything because you don’t want to lose your fans,'” Malakar recalled one publicist saying.Malakar also said that he really didn’t know how to interact with male peers due to his father not really being a role model.“I had a hard time figuring out how to interact with young boys because my dad’s from India and grew up in a temple, so there was never like, ‘This is how you are a boy,'” says Malakar.

Kim Kardashian has been slammed for the way she stopped herself eating in order to stay in shape.The TV personality, 41, has been sporting a slimmer frame over the last few months but some fans think she is taking her weight loss too far. And now critics think they've spotted her "secret" when trawling through past articles.

Variety reported.Darius Campbell Danesh was remembered fondly by none other than Simon Cowell, who recalled how he first befriended the young talent.“I first saw Darius on television over 20 years ago and I got to know him really well.He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with,” Cowell told The Post. “His passing, for someone so young, is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to his family and friends.”Danesh, who belted tunes such as Brittany Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual” on his way to becoming an overseas sensation in the early 2000s, was found dead in his Rochester, Minnesota, apartment last Thursday, according to a statement from his family to BBC.Their announcement included details of Danesh’s “sudden” passing.“Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners’ office,” the statement read.“The local police department have confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances,” it continued.

Meghan Markle, wife of Prince Harry, is said to be holding a grudge against pop star Katy Perry after comments the songstress made about her wedding dress. Former Suits actress Meghan, 41, married Prince Harry, 37, in a lavish ceremony in 2018 with the bride donning a simple white gown by Givenchy.

Carrie Underwood took to Instagram on Wednesday to celebrate the 17th anniversary of her legendary win. «Where does the time go,» the singer wrote on Instagram. «Please enjoy a page from the journal of a 22-year-old farm girl who just had the most incredible night!» The journal entry tells the story of the final moments before Ryan Seacrest announced her win on May 25, 2005. «It came down to this final moment. Ryan had the gold card in his hand,» young Underwood wrote.