Willie Spence

Willie Spence, who came in second place in "American Idol" Season 19, has died in a car crash. He was 23.

It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.” Spence and McPhee performed a duet during his time on Season 19. When Perry asked where he sees himself in five years, Spence said he hopes to share his gift with the world and win a Grammy. Judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan praised Spence’s performance, with Bryan saying, “You are a special, special human being.

Willie Spence, who was the runner-up on season 19 of 'American Idol' in 2021, died after he was involved in a car accident on Oct. 11, 2022.

“He will be missed.” TMZ reported the crash happened on Tuesday while Spence was driving home to Atlanta from Tennessee. “He was an extraordinary talent and a ray of light to millions across the world,” the publication wrote.

Singer Willie Spence, the runner-up on American Idol's season 19, died in a car accident at the age of 23, Idol alum Katharine McPhee confirmed.

[DouglasNow](https://www.facebook.com/douglasnowcom/posts/pfbid0jDjqpdpNqg2bv6fxiaMUE2mu9sP8zL4Ua2bL35LVLV3GfcyShkupiGDmqho738Btl) also shared news of his passing, writing on Facebook, "We extend our condolences to Willie's family, friends, and fans. He also added to his wish list, "Hopefully winning a Grammy one day. In your wildest dreams, if nothing was standing in your way." [Willie Spence](https://www.eonline.com/news/1325985/your-american-idol-fan-favorites-are-returning-for-a-special-reunion-episode), who was the runner-up on season 19 of the competition series in 2021, died on Oct. 11, fellow American Idol alum [Katharine McPhee](https://www.eonline.com/news/katharine_mcphee) shared. "Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised," McPhee, who was an Idol mentor during Spence's season, continued.

Willie Spence, who wowed the judges with "Diamonds" by Rihanna during his audition, was mourned by stars like Katharine McPhee and Mickey Guyton.

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Willie Spence, the runner-up on American Idol season 19 died Tuesday after a car accident at around 4 p.m. Tuesday in Marion County.

We send our condolences to his loved ones. We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence. American Idol’s Twitter page said “We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence.

After learning of the death of Willie Spence, who was the runner-up on season 19 of American Idol, several of the show's stars, including Katy Perry and ...

It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you." Only 23 years old." "Such a sweet guy. "Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. "@williespenceofficial you'll be deeply missed." Rest in peace king." "I received very tragic news tonight," she wrote on Instagram Stories Oct. He will truly be missed." "I love you Willie… "Everybody on and off set loved him," he recalled. purest soul," she wrote. "We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence," the Oct.

Spence, 23, finished in second place on season 19 of "American Idol" last year.

Willie Spence, a singer who as a teen went viral with his rendition of Rihanna's hit "Diamonds" and was the runner up on Season 19 on "American Idol, ...

It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.” Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident,” she wrote on her Instastory along with a video of her and Spence from the show. “In your wildest dreams, if nothing was standing in your way?” That’s where I see myself in five years.” The West Palm Beach, Florida native relocated with his family to Georgia as a child. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”

Spence was considered one of the all-time greatest 'Idol' contestants, and once even received an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform.

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Willie Spence, the singer who won people's hearts and made it all the way to the finale of American Idol ​last year, has reportedly died at the age of 23.

"You are my hiding place," he sings in the video. you deserved the stars and the moon," McPhee wrote in a separate tribute on his Instagram. "I’m so sorry for the world to be robbed of more precious time with you." "We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence," the show tweeted on Wednesday. We send our condolences to his loved ones.\u201d— American Idol (@American Idol) \u201cWe are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence.

Willie Spence, who finished 2021's Season 19 of "American Idol" in second place with "undeniable" talent, died Oct. 11 in a car crash. He was 23.

"Willie loved the Lord. The whole WORLD loved Willie." Willie loved his friends. Willie loved his family. Willie loved music. Michelle posted on Instagram Wednesday.](https://www.instagram.com/p/CjmM6ctuq02/) "It’s been years of you loving me and me loving you. From then he consistently wowed judges and became the runner-up, losing to "Idol" winner [Chayce Beckham.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/05/23/american-idol-winner-chayce-beckham-arthur-gunn-absent-from-finale/5236464001/) I was so happy that the world got to experience that amazing gift you have." "We love that voice, and I love where it comes from. We send our condolences to his loved ones." "Honestly, i’m in shock. "We are devastated about the passing of our beloved 'American Idol' family member, Willie Spence," read the post, featuring video from his audition.

After American Idol season 19 runner-up Willie Spence died in a car accident on Oct. 11, one of the show's judges, Lionel Richie, who praised him during his ...

[Katy Perry](https://www.eonline.com/news/katy_perry), who also served as a judge that season, paid tribute in [the comments section of a post](https://www.eonline.com/news/1350201/singer-willie-spence-dead-at-23-ryan-seacrest-and-devastated-american-idol-family-pay-tribute) from the show honoring the star, writing, "I love you Willie… In addition to Richie giving the singer a standing ovation, the Grammy winner also called him an "undeniable" star, adding that he with "the first note, he had chills." It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you." [Luke Bryan](https://www.eonline.com/news/1345503/why-luke-bryans-sons-could-push-the-country-singer-to-slow-it-down) also remembered Spence's bright light that was imminent from the start of his audition. "Willie really did light up every room he walked into," he wrote in an [Instagram Story post](https://www.instagram.com/stories/lukebryan/2947562446653466016/?hl=en) on Oct. The season 19 contestant—who was the runner-up of the competition series in 2021—died after being involved a car accident in Marion County, Tennessee on Oct.