Luke Bryan Mourns Willie Spence After Death At 23: He ‘Really Did Light Up Every Room He Walked Into’

Luke Bryan honored Willie Spence, after the vocalist was tragically killed successful a car clang connected Tuesday, October 11. The American Idol judge took to societal media to mourn the play 19 runner-up, aft his sudden, unexpected passing astatine 23. The state vocalist shared a tribute to the vocalist from the amusement connected Instagram. “Willie truly did airy up each country helium walked into,” helium began his tribute.

Luke’s tribute to Willie. (Instagram/Luke Bryan)

Luke continued and admired however moving Willie’s dependable was to each who got to perceive him and spot his talent. “He could alteration the temper instantly erstwhile helium started singing. He volition genuinely beryllium missed,” helium wrote. Besides the judge, Ryan Seacrest also mourned the singer’s passing successful an Instagram Story. He shared the aforesaid video tribute and wrote a heartfelt message. “Everybody connected and disconnected acceptable loved him,” helium wrote. “You’ll beryllium profoundly missed.”

Willie died successful a car mishap connected Tuesday. His passing was archetypal reported by section quality outlet Douglas Now.  “DouglasNow has learned that Douglas autochthonal and American Idol Season 19 runner-up Willie Spence, 23, has passed distant owed to injuries sustained successful an automobile mishap successful Tennessee. We person nary further details astatine this time. We widen our condolences to Willie’s family, friends, and fans. He was an bonzer endowment and a ray of airy to millions crossed the world. He volition beryllium missed,” the outlet wrote successful a Facebook post.

Willie was the runner-up successful play 19 of Idol, coming successful 2nd spot to winner Chayce Beckham. During his clip connected the show, Willie wow-ed audiences with awesome renditions of hits similar “Set Fire To The Rain” by Adele and “Diamonds” by Rihanna as good arsenic galore much songs. One of the singer’s astir notable performances was his duet with Katharine McPhee, where they sang Celine Dion’s “The Prayer.”

After Willie’s passing was archetypal reported, Katharine took to her Instagram to stock a moving tribute to him. She re-posted 1 of the clips of them speaking connected the amusement and besides wrote a moving tribute to the young singer. “I received precise tragic quality tonight. Sweet Willie Spence passed distant successful a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is truthful unfair and thing is ever promised,” she wrote. “God remainder your psyche Willie. It was a pleasance to sing with you and cognize you.”

The ‘Idol’ judges each honored Willie aft his death. (ABC/Gavin Bond/Robb Cohen/Invision/AP/Shutterstock)

Katharine besides shared an Instagram clip of Willie singing the Christian opus “You Are My Hiding Place” by Selah to her story. The video was posted conscionable hours earlier his passing, and it showed disconnected his almighty and moving voice. Many fans posted the clip pursuing the quality of his death.

Following his second-place triumph connected Idol, Willie spoke to HollywoodLife about however excited helium was for the adjacent steps successful his career, and helium spoke astir however the amusement inspired him to enactment adjacent harder. “Starting tomorrow, I americium going to propulsion harder and inactive beryllium doing music,” helium said. “Before American Idol, I didn’t judge successful myself arsenic overmuch arsenic I should person arsenic an artist, and [the show] has decidedly helped maine with assurance and helped maine judge successful myself more. I consciousness similar that is each I request for my vocation to instrumentality off. I conscionable person to judge successful myself a small more.”