Willie Spence: 5 Things About ‘American Idol’ Singer Who Reportedly Died In Car Accident

Willie Spence, the runner-up connected Season 19 of American Idol, reportedly died aft succumbing to injuries from a Oct. 11 car mishap successful Tennessee. The rising talent, who spoke with HollywoodLife successful 2021 astir his vocation ambitions, was lone 23 astatine the clip of the tragedy. Sadly, his last Instagram post was an announcement for an upcoming performance successful London.

The singer’s section newspaper, Douglas Now, was archetypal to study the quality of his decease connected Facebook. “He was an bonzer endowment and a ray of airy to millions crossed the world,” the outlet added. “He volition beryllium missed.” Katharine McPhee, who performed with Willie during his clip on Idol, took to her Instagram Story soon aft the announcement, writing, “Life is truthful unfair and thing is ever promised.” She added, “God remainder your psyche Willie. It was a pleasance to sing with you and to cognize you.”

Keep speechmaking to find retired much astir the exceptional singer, below.

1. Wille Underwent A Major Weight Loss

Before his audition on American Idol, Willie opened up astir a wellness scare that pushed him to suffer value to prevention his ain life. “I turned myself into the infirmary to get a checkup due to the fact that I had symptom successful my chest,” Willie explained. “The doctors told maine they recovered fluid successful my lungs. I weighed 600 pounds. When they told maine that, I knew I had to absorption much connected my health. I went from 600 pounds to 400 pounds.”

Willie Spence connected ‘American Idol.’ (ABC)

2. How Did Willie Lose The Weight?

Willie’s communicative impressed host, Ryan Seacrest, who asked him however helium was capable to get himself into amended shape. “My eating was a large portion of it,” Willie admitted. “I person a trainer now. I’m doing better. I person nary fluid.” Altogether, Willie mislaid implicit 180 pounds by the clip helium auditioned. “I’m conscionable being steadfast and focusing,” helium said. “If I don’t person bully health, I won’t beryllium capable to sing.”

3. Willie Has Already Released His Own Original Music

It’s inactive unclear however things volition play retired for Willie on American Idol, but he’s already moving towards his dreams of being a musician. Earlier this year, Willie released his latest single, “So Gone,” and adjacent enactment retired a euphony video for the song. On his authoritative YouTube page, helium posts galore videos of himself covering different artists’ songs, but besides shares his ain archetypal music, arsenic well.

Willie Spence performs with Katharine McPhee connected ‘American Idol.’ (ABC)

4. Willie Is Extremely Close With His Family

Willie credits his household with helping him get done the hard times. “I bash this for my family,” helium said earlier his audition. “They’ve ever supported me. They’ve been determination since the precise beginning.” During showstopper week, Willie added, “This twelvemonth has been a pugnacious year. Being successful the infirmary truly frightened me. I thought I wasn’t going to survive. My household got maine done it, arsenic well, and I’m precise thankful.

Willie’s household adjacent made a virtual quality during the episode. “We each emotion you with each of our hearts,” his mom, Sharon, gushed. “We commune that you proceed and fto God fto you ascent this ladder of occurrence with American Idol.”