By Rashad Grove
Willie Spence, who was the runner-up on Season 19 of American Idol, has passed away, reports Billboard. He was 23 years old.
According to Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Spence succumbed to injuries he sustained in a car accident in Tennessee on Tuesday.
The Georgia-born singer became a viral sensation in 2017 when a video of him singing “Diamonds” by Rihanna garnered more than 15 million views on YouTube.
In his audition for American Idol, he blew the judges away and received a standing ovation from Lionel Richie after singing “Diamonds.”
After wowing the judges with his performance, Spence said that he hoped that his voice would “reach the world” and, if he was lucky, “[win] a Grammy one day.” In his memorable run as a contestant on the show, Spence gave soulful renditions of “The Prayer,” John Legend’s “All of Me,” Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” Elton John’s “Circle of Life” and Coldplay’s “Yellow.”
Following his second-place finish, he went on to release an EP called The Voice and several singles.
On Instagram, American Idol paid tribute to Spence by sharing the video of his incredible audition.
“We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence,” the post read. “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.”
