12 American Idol Stars Who Sadly Passed Away

Summary American Idol has produced music superstars, but some of the contestants have had untimely deaths.

Contestants like Michael Johns, Willie Spence, and Mandisa have left a lasting impact on fans.

These talented American Idol contestants who've sadly passed away will always be remembered.

American Idol debuted in 2002, and several contestants have tragically passed away since then. American Idol has produced some of the biggest music superstars in the last two decades. Many of the singers have very large fan bases. Their supporters become quite attached to the artists as they follow their journeys, from their auditions to the big stage. The fans have a special connection with the finalists, as they vote for them, and therefore help the singers to achieve success. Because of this, the losses of these stars have hit fans especially hard.

American Idol fans have mourned the untimely deaths of some of their favorite finalists over the years, due to many tragic circumstances. These singers were so full of life when they performed on the show that it is hard to believe that they are gone. As American Idol continues, it is time to remember these singers from the show who sadly passed away.

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12 American Idol Contestant Paula Goodspeed

American Idol Season 5

Paula auditioned for American Idol season 5 in 2006. She was enamored with judge Paula Abdul, and even changed her name from Sandra May McIntyre to Paula Goodspeed at age 16. She was inspired by Paula's style, and shared several of her drawings of Paula at her audition. She sang "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner at her audition, but didn't make it to Hollywood.

All three judges, Paula, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell voted no, so she was eliminated from the competition. They were particularly hard on her, with Paula saying that she was speechless and it wasn't a great thing, Randy telling her she was terrible, and Simon mocking her braces. Paula died in her car outside of Paula's home in Sherman Oaks, California on November 11, 2008. The cause of death was suicide by drug overdose. Paula was 30.

11 American Idol Contestant Alexis Cohen

American Idol Season 7

Alexis auditioned for American Idol twice. During season 7, she marched to the beat of a different drummer. She earned the nickname, "Glitter Girl," because of her unique look. She sang "Somebody to Love" by Jefferson Airplane, but did not earn a golden ticket to Hollywood. All three judges gave her votes of no, but she lashed out Simon, swearing at him and giving him the middle finger several times.

Although Alexis' first American Idol audition didn't go well, she returned to the show to audition in season 8 with "Like a Prayer" by Madonna. However, she was once again rejected by the show, and didn't receive a golden ticket to Hollywood. Alexis died on July 5, 2009. She was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, and passed away at age 25.

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10 American Idol Contestant Michael Johns

American Idol Season 7

Michael placed 8th on American Idol season 7. A native of Australia, Michael's renditions of "Light My Fire" by The Doors, "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds, "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right" by Dolly Parton, and "Dream On" by Aerosmith wowed the judges and the audience. Michael also infused classic songs with his signature style, including "Across the Universe" and "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles, and a medley of "We Are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" by Queen.

Michael died on August 1, 2014, at the age of 35. There were conflicting reports about the American Idol alum's cause of death. It was first announced that Michael died from a blood clot after sustaining an ankle injury. He also had a fatty liver, which is often caused by alcohol abuse. However, the coroner's report ruled that Michael died from dilated cardiomyopathy heart disease.

9 American Idol Contestant Joanne Borgella

American Idol Season 7

American Idol season 7 contestant Joanne made it to the Top 12 female group, which was one half of the Top 24. She auditioned with "I Love You" by Celine Dion. She received votes of yes from Randy and Paula, but a no from Simon. However, Randy and Paula's votes earned her a golden ticket to Hollywood. During the Top 24 round, Joanna was part of the Top 12 girls. She sang a spirited version of "I Say a Little Prayer" by Dionne Warwick. but was eliminated after it.

Joanne died on October 18, 2014, from a rare form of endometrial cancer, with which she was diagnosed in October 2013. On social media, she shared her cancer journey and how her faith helped her through it. Unfortunately, after experiencing severe headaches, she was told that the cancer had spread to her brain. Joanne was 32 years old when she passed away.

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8 American Idol Contestant Rickey Smith

American Idol Season 2

Rickey was a finalist on American Idol season 2. He was known for his sweet personality and laugh. Rickey was famous for quoting, "Hercules! Hercules!" from The Nutty Professor, while clapping his hands. Rickey auditioned with "One Last Cry" by Brian McKnight, and he received votes of yes from Randy, Paula, and Simon. He placed eighth on the show, singing songs such as "1-2-3" by Len Barry, "It Might Be You" by Stephen Bishop, "I've Done Enough Dyin' Today" by Larry Gatlin, "Let's Groove" by Earth, Wind, & Fire, and "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross.

Thirteen years after he appeared on American Idol, Rickey died on May 5, 2016 in a tragic car crash. A drunk driver going the wrong way slammed into his car when he was on his way home. Rickey was 36 years old.

7 American Idol Contestant Marque "Tate" Lynche

American Idol Season 3

Marque, who was an alum of The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, competed on American Idol season 3. He auditioned with "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt, and received votes of yes from Randy, Paula and Simon. Marque's audition was the final televised one of American Idol season 3. He earned his golden ticket to Hollywood and participated in Hollywood Week. Marque made it to the Top 32 of his season, but he was eliminated soon after. He sang "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler and brought so much emotion to the stage with every one of his performances.

Marque died on December 6, 2015. He was found dead by his roommate in his apartment in New York. The cause of death was reported as acute and chronic alcoholism. Marque was 34 years old.

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6 American Idol Contestant Leah LaBelle

American Idol Season 3

Leah appeared on American Idol season 3 at age 16. She was a senior in high school when she auditioned with "I Believe in You and Me" by The Four Tops. Leah made it to the Top 32, and was selected to compete in the Wild Card show. Paula used her Wild Card vote to save Leah from elimination, and she advanced to the Top 12. She placed 12th in the competition. During the American Idol, she sang songs such as "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston, "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green, and "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes.

Leah died on January 31, 2018, at the age of 31, from injuries she sustained in a car crash. Her boyfriend, Rasual Butler, a professional basketball player, was driving the car, and he also died. Drugs and alcohol were reportedly factors in the crash.

5 American Idol Contestant Haley Smith

American Idol Season 11

Haley auditioned for American Idol during season 11 with the song, "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus and Chaka Khan. She earned a golden ticket after receiving votes of yes from Randy, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler. Steven declared that Haley was right out of his era, and he said that he was honored to be able to listen to her perform. However, she didn't make it past the Hollywood Week Round. Haley wasn't shown much during Hollywood Week, and she was eliminated after the second round.

Haley died on August 31, 2019 at age 26. The cause of death was a single-vehicle motorcycle accident in Maine. It was believed that she failed to make a narrow turn while driving. After the accident, Haley's father stated that he believed that a deer might have been involved in the crash because she was a good motorcycle rider.

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4 American Idol Contestant Nikki McKibbin

American Idol Season 1

Nikki placed third on American Idol season 1. She was the first rock singer on the show. Nikki showcased her incredible vocals on songs such as "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler, "Ben" by Michael Jackson, "Piece of My Heart" by Erma Franklin, "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar, "Hard-Hearted Hannah" by Dolly Kay, "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" by Lou Johnson, "Mary Jane" by Alanis Morissette, "I'm the Only One" by Melissa Etheridge, "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks, and "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles. She was known for her pink hair and cool sense of style. Nikki returned to the show in 2014 when her son Tristen Langley auditioned for American Idol season 13.

Nikki died on November 1, 2020, at age 42 after suffering a brain aneurysm. She had the aneurysm on October 28, 2020. Nikki was kept on life support until her organs could be harvested for donation.

3 American Idol Runner-Up Willie Spence

American Idol Season 19

American Idol season 19 runner-up Willie was known for his soulful vocals and kind heart. At his audition, he stunned judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan with his version of "Diamonds." He continued to inspire the audience with songs such as "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler, "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele, "Stand Up" by Cynthia Erivo, "Yellow" by Coldplay, "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker, "Glory" by Common and John Legend, "I Was Here" by Beyoncé, "Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles, "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, and his single "Never Be Alone."

Willie died on October 11, 2022, following a car accident. He was driving a Jeep Cherokee, when he veered off the road and struck a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder of the road. The driver of the tractor-trailer wasn't injured. Willie was 23 years old.

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2 American Idol Contestant C.J. Harris

American Idol Season 13

C.J. placed sixth on American Idol season 13. He earned a golden ticket from the judges, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick, Jr. for his version of "Soulshine" by The Allman Brothers Band, during which he played the guitar. During the competition, he sang songs such as "Radio" by Darius Rucker, "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer, "Can't You See" by The Marshall Tucker Band, "Invisible" by Hunter Hayes, "If It Hadn't Been for Love" by The SteelDrivers, "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty, "Gravity" by John Mayer, "American Woman" by The Guess Who, and "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band.

About nine years after he competed on American Idol season 13 during which he was known for his beautiful smile, C.J. died on January 15, 2023 after suffering cardiac arrest. He died in a hospital in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama. C.J. was 31 years old.

1 American Idol Contestant Mandisa

American Idol Season 5

American Idol season 5 finalist Mandisa placed ninth on her season. At her audition, she blew Simon, Paula, and Randy away with her incredible rendition of "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. After earning her golden ticket to Hollywood, she made it to the Top 24, singing songs such as "Never" by Heart, "Cry" by Faith Hill, "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan, "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" by Stevie Wonder, "I Don't Hurt Anymore" by Dinah Washington, "Shackles (Praise You)" by Mary Mary, and "Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain.

Mandisa passed away on April 18, 2024 at the age of 47. She was found in her home. During an American Idol season 22 episode, Mandisa's friends and fellow American Idol alums Melinda Doolittle, Danny Gokey, and Colton Dixon paid tribute to her by singing "Shackles (Praise You)." The song meant a lot to Mandisa, and she even included it on her 2007 debut album, True Beauty.

American Idol has lost some special singers over the years. However, they will never be forgotten because of their talents. Whether they made viewers smile or moved people with their artistry, they will live forever in the hearts of their fans. These American Idol contestants will always be remembered.

American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Sources: Not now, not ever/YouTube, Danny B Mergen Jr/YouTube, American Idol14/YouTube, TerminallyChill420/YouTube, Domeju/YouTube, Domeju/YouTube, Domeju/YouTube, Idol2012TV/YouTube, Domeju/YouTube, Jonathan Amores Linares/YouTube, AmericanIdol2014TV/YouTube, Domeju/YouTube