Willie Spence, a fan favourite and runner-up on American Idol season 19, has died. He was 23 years old.
Willie Spence dies: What’s the cause?
As per NBC News, Spence died on Tuesday, 11 October 2022, after a car accident at around 16:00, in Marion County, East Tennessee. Spence was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Marion County Medical Examiner Barbara O’Neal, who listed the cause of death as “multisystem trauma due to motor vehicle accident.”
Spence’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee “left the roadway” and collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder east of Interstate 24.
American Idol took to Twitter to confirm Spencer’s death:
“We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence. He was a true talent who lit up every room he entered and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”
Sadly, Willie’s last Instagram post was an announcement for an upcoming concert in London.
Willie Spence biography
Willie Spence was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 18 June 1999, and his family later relocated to Douglas, Georgia, where he grew up. When Spence was a senior in high school, he uploaded videos of himself singing online.
A video of him singing “Diamonds” by Rihanna went viral in 2017 and received over 15 million views on YouTube. As a result, he received a lot of attention, and Steve Harvey invited him to appear on his talk show.
Spence auditioned for season 19 of American Idol in 2021. Spence finished second in the competition, just behind Chayce Beckham, thanks to the judges’ approval of his performances. With Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan serving as judges, Willie was a front-runner.
Willie quickly emerged as the singer everyone wanted to succeed, thanks to his crystal-clear voice, vibrant personality, and history of overcoming health issues brought on by his weight.
Reactions to Spence’s death
Spence’s death comes as a shock to the world. Fans, judges of American Idols, and family have taken to social media to pay special tribute to the late singer. Here’s what they had to say: