The American Idol own family has been struck with tragedies during its 19 seasons, most recently with Nikki McKibbin’s demise, a contestant at the display’s very first season. McKibbin died on Nov. 1, 2020 at age 42 after struggling a brain aneurysm. The information left lovers devastated, but it additionally inspired many to move returned to her performances to relive her top notch run at the display. McKibbin is considered one of seven Idol contestants who have died inside the beyond 19 years.
Before McKibbin’s death, the maximum recent Idol contestant who passed away became Leah LaBelle, who seemed on Season three of the collection. LaBelle and her partner, NBA star Rasual Butler, died in a car crash in California in 2018. Rickey Smith, Joanne Borgella, Michael Johns, Alexis Cohen, and Paula Godspeed all left at the back of memorable performances for the duration of their runs on Idol before their deaths. With American Idol Season 19, its fourth on ABC, kicking off on Sunday, Feb. 14, here is a appearance again at the lives of seven singers who left their mark on Idol records. The new season of Idol functions returning judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, host Ryan Seacrest, and mentor Bobby Bones.Season 1: Nikki McKibbin(Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images)
One of the maximum first, American Idol contestants, Nikki McKibbin died from a brain aneurysm on Oct. 28, as reported by way of her husband, Craig Sadler and their family. Fans will don’t forget she competed on the inaugural season of the Fox truth display, coming in 0.33 at the back of Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, who took domestic top honors. donnyhathaway.info She was 42 on the time of her passing.
McKibbin achieved on American Idol while the display turned into starting to broaden large audiences for its episodes. Throughout her time on the opposition, she done covers from singers inclusive of Melissa Etheridge, Janis Joplin, Alanis Morissette, and Stevie Nicks. Her maximum famous performance can be her rendition of Alannah Myles’ tune “Black Velvet.”
prevnextSeason 3: Leah LaBelleLeah LaBelle (proper) with Rasual Butler (Photo: Paul Zimmerman, Getty)
Leah LaBelle finished twelfth in American Idol Season 3. The Toronto, Ontario local had a brief recording deal in 2011 with L.A. Reid’s Epic Records. On Jan. 31, 2018, LaBelle and her boyfriend, basketball player Rasual Butler, were killed in a car crash in Studio City, California. She turned into 31 years old.
The post-mortem revealed that Butler had pills and alcohol in his device on the time of the crash. A toxicology file showed his blood alcohol stage was .118, above the criminal restrict. LaBelle’s blood alcohol stage was .144.
prevnextSeason 2: Rickey Smith(Photo: Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Rickey Smith, who seemed on American Idol Season 2, was killed through a under the influence of alcohol driver in Oklahoma City on May 5, 2016. He was 36 years old.
Smith completed 8th location at the show and become near friends with Ruben Studdard, who received Idol that season. He began a tune profession in Los Angeles, however moved back to Oklahoma whilst that did not pan out.
“As I sit down right here in utter disbelief approximately the reality which you went to be with the Lord,” Studdard wrote on Instagram after Smith’s dying. “I think again on all the a laugh instances we had. How we set up for hours in our room inside the Idol Mansion talking and paying attention to song. How plenty fun we all had on our first actual tour. You have been the heart of our season and the actual definition of a actual buddy.. I will omit you my Friend RIP Ricky Smith. I’m sure you’re in heaven singing you’re heart out!!!”
prevnextSeason 7: Joanne Borgella(Photo: Alexander Tamargo/WireImage)
Joanne Borgella impressed the judges at some stage in American Idol Season 7, reaching the Top 24. She additionally gained the first season of Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance competition in 2005. In October 2014, Borgella died from a rare form of endometrial most cancers, which spread to her brain. The Brooklyn local become 32 years old.
prevnextSeason 7: Michael Johns(Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Michael Johns become an Australian singer who started out a profession in Atlanta before he seemed on Idol Season 7 in 2008. He completed in eighth area and took part in the American Idol Live! excursion after the season. He released the album Hold Back My Heart and an EP entitled, Love and Sex. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Orange County Coroner’s document stated Johns died from an enlarged coronary heart and a “fatty liver.” His loss of life got here after he suffered a leg damage. Johns changed into 35 years old.
prevnextSeason 7: Alexis Cohen
Alexis Cohen become featured in the auditions episodes of Seasons 7 and eight. Nicknamed “Glitter Girl” with the aid of lovers, judge Simon Cowell changed into unimpressed along with her performances of Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” and Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”
In July 2009, Cohen turned into killed by a success-and-run driver in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. She became 25.
prevnextSeason 5: Paula Godspeed
Paula Godspeed did no longer make it beyond the auditions in Season 5. She changed into passionate about then-decide Paula Abdul, even legally converting her first call from Sandra to Paula. She created portraits of Abdul, which had been shown when she carried out.
Godspeed, who turned into born Sandra May McIntyre, died through suicide by drug overdose. She died in her car, parked outside Abdul’s domestic in Sherman Oaks, California.
Her death received global interest, specially after her own family stated she had a history of mental illness. As The Telegraph mentioned at the time, Godspeed used her MySpace weblog to write down approximately how difficult existence became after her audition, in which Cowell mocked her braces.
“Paula reacted quite a good deal the way absolutely everyone could react,” her sister, Sonja McIntyre, advised Good Morning America. “Saying that she had a bridge in her mouth? That’s rude. She didn’t cross there for looks, she went there for vocals. She went there to sing.”
