10 'American Idol' Contestants Who Passed Away
Since its debut in 2002, American idol has unquestionably lived as much as its name and confirmed to be a exhibit for stars within the making. The show provides plentiful opportunities for potential idols to show their harmonic skills beneath the watchful, and now and then scathing, gaze of the judging panel. From triple Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson to Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson, there is not any shortage of multitalented sensations who were given their giant damage at the hit show.
Unfortunately, no longer everybody who features on American Idol will get to reside out their famous person fantasies. For those ten contestants, existence was cut brief, and a ways too quickly. Being in a position to impress the judges - specifically the notoriously stubborn Simon Cowell - isn't easy. Therefore, it's inevitable that some members take the steadily harsh criticism to coronary heart, and for one contestant specifically, this ended in a stunning tragedy.
10 Alexis Cohen
(*10*)The quirky Alexis Cohen gave the impression on American Idol two times, first in 2008 and then a year later. Living in a one-room studio rental in Allentown, Pennsylvania along with her mother, Cohen's pursuit of status and fortune was once a vintage underdog tale that doubtlessly resonated with many viewers. Unfortunately, neither of her performances fared smartly and she was described by way of Cowell as sounding 'possessed'. However, Randy Jackson remained positive and instructed that Cohen would excel in a Jefferson Airplane covers band. Infamously, she condemned the judges in a foul-mouthed rant, which wasn't the first time a performer went too far. Shortly after her 2nd and final rejection from the audition room, she was once struck and killed in a hit-and-run. She was once 25.
9 Nikki McKibbin
In the primary season of American Idol, Nikki McKibbin wooed the judges with her vintage rock-inspired vocals, engaging in the exceptional feat of coming in 3rd behind Justin Guarini and winner Kelly Clarkson. Following American Idol, she fell into drug and alcohol dependence and appeared on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew.
At the time of her dying, McKibbin had been playing a lifetime of sobriety, however in 2020 she suffered a brain aneurysm and her family needed to make the heart-breaking decision to show off her existence support. She was 42. An organ donor, McKibbin was once ready to assist others even in death.
8 Haley Smith
18-year-old Haley Smith impressed judges in Colorado. With her giggly enthusiasm, it was once tough to not be charmed by means of her youthful effervescence. Her powerful rendition of Chaka Khan and Rufus's 'Tell Me Something Good' astonished the judges, specifically Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, who declared that it was once an honor to listen to her voice. Her existence was once reduce brief in 2019 following a bike crash. She was once elderly just 26.
7 Leah LaBelle Vladowski
At the gentle age of 16, Leah LaBelle Vladowski stunned judges along with her gospel-inspired voice, eventually making it to the general round in season 3. Subsequently, she discovered reputation as a backing singer sooner than embarking on a solo profession, playing really extensive luck. She began courting professional basketball player Rasual Butler and was once living the dream. In a shocking turn of occasions, each Vladowski and Butler died in a automotive crash in 2018, after the latter misplaced control of his car in Los Angeles. Vladowski and Butler died on the younger ages of 31 and 38 respectively.
6 Marque Lynche
Prior to his look on American Idol, Lynche used to be no stranger to turn business and had some good fortune on The New Mickey Mouse Club at the side of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. He seemed at the 3rd season of American Idol and was a semi-finalist. Sadly, tragedy plagued Lynche: his mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2004 and his father died in 2014. A 12 months after his father's death, Lynche was found dead in his New York apartment. He was 34. According to reviews, the lack of his oldsters had a devastating impact on him and his loss of life was ruled the result of chronic alcoholism.
5 Rickey Smith
Branded 'the nicest guy in the festival' by means of Simon Cowell, the charismatic Rickey Smith stirred both the target audience and the judges in season 2. His stunning removal ended in outrage and boos from contributors of the target audience.
But even throughout his departure he remained upbeat with his infectious smile and positivity for the long run. In 2016, Smith died in a head-on collision as he drove along a highway. He was once elderly simply 36.
4 Joanne Borgella
In 2008, 25-year-old Joanne Borgella reached the highest 24 within the seventh season. Her sweet and delicate voice moved the judges, and, for sure, viewers at house. But it was her rendition of Aretha Franklin's 'I Say A Little Prayer' that left fellow contestants in tears. Despite her transferring performance, she was once eradicated. After American Idol, she loved a prosperous profession as a plus-size model. Tragically, she announced in 2013 that she used to be scuffling with an extraordinary form of most cancers and was undergoing chemotherapy. She died only one 12 months later, at the comfortable age of 32.
3 Jessika Baier
Travelling the entire way from Michigan for her audition in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jessika Baier arrived with an excitable pink-clad entourage holding up signs of strengthen. But her rendition of 'I Surrender' via Celine Dion used to be poorly gained, with Cowell visibly perturbed by way of her efficiency. She pleaded with the judges to provide her a 2d chance, insisting that 'it is my dream', before bursting into tears. But the judges have been unrelenting and Baier was once sent again to Michigan where she went on to seek out success as a radio host. This success can be all too temporary, as Baier used to be in a while killed in a crash. She was only 21.
2 Michael Johns
Australian contestant Michael Johns amazed the judges together with his soulful voice and gained overwhelmingly certain comments, even from the typically snide Simon Cowell, ultimately getting into eighth place in season 7. Thereafter, he gave the impression on the American Idol excursion and launched a reasonably successful solo album. But we will be able to never know what this incredibly proficient young guy could have gone on to reach; it got here as a surprise when Johns died of a blood clot aged 35 in 2014.
1 Paula Goodspeed
Perhaps essentially the most tragic American idol contestant, Paula Abdul superfan Paula Goodspeed auditioned in 2006. What makes the Goodspeed story in particular tragic is the best way wherein her bodily appearance was mocked throughout her audition. Witnessing the palpable unhappiness from Abdul, Goodspeed's greatest idol, must were painful for the younger hopeful. Meanwhile, Cowell contemplated how any person could sing with 'that a lot metal to your mouth', in reference to Goodspeed's braces. In 2008, Goodspeed drove outside Abdul's house, parked her automotive, and ended her lifestyles, surrounded by means of photos of her idol. She used to be 30. Since the tragedy, Cowell has expressed regret at his harsh feedback, telling reporters, 'If I had long gone again in time and recognized what she used to be going thru, I wish we may have hung out trying to assist her.'
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