Let us remember the “American Idol” singers who died too soon as the iconic reality talent competition returns for its 18th season. Among them are fan favorites such as Season 7’s Michael John, who left us in 2014 after suffering from heart disease, and Season 2’s Rickey Smith, who passed away in 2016 after a drunk driver going the wrong way crashed into his car.
Others were memorable oddballs who often made the wrong kind of impression, like Alexis Cohen aka “Glitter Girl,” who auditioned for both Season 7 and 8 without success.
SEE12 most successful ‘American Idol’ losers ever: Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee …
The most recent loss? That would be Haley Smith, who died in 2019 during the Labor Day holiday after being involved in a motorcycle accident. All seven of these hopefuls contributed in some way to making “American Idol” what it is today.
See ‘American Idol’ Winners List (Seasons 1 – 17)
Let...
Others were memorable oddballs who often made the wrong kind of impression, like Alexis Cohen aka “Glitter Girl,” who auditioned for both Season 7 and 8 without success.
SEE12 most successful ‘American Idol’ losers ever: Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee …
The most recent loss? That would be Haley Smith, who died in 2019 during the Labor Day holiday after being involved in a motorcycle accident. All seven of these hopefuls contributed in some way to making “American Idol” what it is today.
See ‘American Idol’ Winners List (Seasons 1 – 17)
Let...
- 2/17/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Haley Smith, a former “American Idol” contestant who appeared on Season 11 in 2012, died over Labor Day weekend in a motorcycle accident.
The 26-year-old was killed early in the morning after losing control on a road in Millinocket, Maine, according to police reports. Smith’s father told TMZ that a deer might have played a role in the crash since Haley was an experienced rider and that he doubted that she would have gotten into trouble with her bike all on her own.
Haley auditioned for “American Idol” in Colorado for then-judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. She didn’t get past the second Hollywood round, but initially pleased the trio with her ‘70s folksy restyling of the Rufus and Chaka Khan R&b classic “Tell Me Something Good” done a capella. Watch her audition segment above.
Seerip: ‘American Idol’ singing contestants who have died
The Orem, Utah, teen...
The 26-year-old was killed early in the morning after losing control on a road in Millinocket, Maine, according to police reports. Smith’s father told TMZ that a deer might have played a role in the crash since Haley was an experienced rider and that he doubted that she would have gotten into trouble with her bike all on her own.
Haley auditioned for “American Idol” in Colorado for then-judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. She didn’t get past the second Hollywood round, but initially pleased the trio with her ‘70s folksy restyling of the Rufus and Chaka Khan R&b classic “Tell Me Something Good” done a capella. Watch her audition segment above.
Seerip: ‘American Idol’ singing contestants who have died
The Orem, Utah, teen...
- 9/4/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
The Season 17 premiere of “American Idol” aired Sunday, March 3 on ABC and introduced the country to several aspiring singers who hope to follow in the footsteps of former winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. But one thing that overshadowed the competition was when “American Idol” judge Katy Perry revealed the origin story of how she met boyfriend Orlando Bloom. In case you missed it, the meet-cute involved the Golden Globes, In-n-Out Burger and petty theft.
See‘American Idol’: You judge the judges – Rate Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie [Poll]
When Idaho contestant Johanna Jones informed judges Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan that her daily job was cooking burgers at the fast food chain, Perry interjected, “Can I tell you one thing that’s kind of sweet? I met my boyfriend over at In-n-Out. We were at the Golden Globes and we weren’t together. I had my...
See‘American Idol’: You judge the judges – Rate Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie [Poll]
When Idaho contestant Johanna Jones informed judges Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan that her daily job was cooking burgers at the fast food chain, Perry interjected, “Can I tell you one thing that’s kind of sweet? I met my boyfriend over at In-n-Out. We were at the Golden Globes and we weren’t together. I had my...
- 3/4/2019
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
As the 17th season of “American Idol” premieres on Sunday, March 3, we remember those six contestants who have left us since the reality TV show began in 2002. Some were fan favorites. Others were memorable oddballs who often made the wrong kind of impression. But all contributed in some way to making “American Idol” what it is today. In our “American Idol” deaths photo gallery above, we take a moment to reflect on the those who we have lost over the years, including such talents as Michael Johns, Rickey Smith and Leah Labelle.
SEEWhen does ‘American Idol’ 2019 start? Who are the judges and host for Season 17? We’ve got the scoop
Paula Goodspeed
Died: November 11, 2008
Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California.
Show history: Born Sandra May McIntyre, she didn’t make it past the Season 5 auditions. But that didn’t stop her from obsessing over “Idol” judge Paula Abdul,...
SEEWhen does ‘American Idol’ 2019 start? Who are the judges and host for Season 17? We’ve got the scoop
Paula Goodspeed
Died: November 11, 2008
Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California.
Show history: Born Sandra May McIntyre, she didn’t make it past the Season 5 auditions. But that didn’t stop her from obsessing over “Idol” judge Paula Abdul,...
- 3/2/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
There’s a “Raging Fire” descending on Phillip Phillips’ life — but this time it’s got nothing to do with his 2014 hit single.
The American Idol Season 11 champ is being sued for more than $5 million by 19 Entertainment, one of the producers of the recently wrapped Fox reality juggernaut, according to TMZ.
RelatedFall TV’s First Scoops: A Grey’s Baby, Vampire Diaries‘ New Big Bad and More Early Intel From 18 Returning Series
19 Entertainment claims Phillips ceased payment of management fees to the company in 2015, after attempting to get out of his contract with them. At the time, Phillips argued to...
The American Idol Season 11 champ is being sued for more than $5 million by 19 Entertainment, one of the producers of the recently wrapped Fox reality juggernaut, according to TMZ.
RelatedFall TV’s First Scoops: A Grey’s Baby, Vampire Diaries‘ New Big Bad and More Early Intel From 18 Returning Series
19 Entertainment claims Phillips ceased payment of management fees to the company in 2015, after attempting to get out of his contract with them. At the time, Phillips argued to...
- 6/2/2016
- TVLine.com
An EgyptAir flight en route from Paris, France, to Cairo disappeared on Wednesday night. “An informed source at EgyptAir stated that Flight no MS804, which departed Paris at 23:09 (Cest), heading to Cairo has disappeared from radar,” a tweet from the airline read. The Airbus was carrying 66 people — 56 passengers, including a child and two infants, as well as seven cabin crew members and three security personnel. The aircraft, manufactured in 2003, disappeared 10 miles after entering Egyptian airspace, according to EgyptAir, while flying at a height of 37,000 feet. Also Read: Rickey Smith, 'American Idol' Finalist, Killed in Car Crash (Report) The airline,...
- 5/19/2016
- by Debbie Emery
- The Wrap
Rickey Smith, the “America Idol” Season 2 finalist who died early Friday in a freeway crash near Oklahoma City, is being remembered by the “Idol” family, including executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino. Barrino recalled Smith as being a “beautiful spirit.” “Rest In Peace Rickey Smith. The world lost a beautiful spirit,” she wrote on Twitter. “Prayers to his family.” Also Read: Rickey Smith, 'American Idol' Finalist, Killed in Car Crash (Report) Smith died at age 36 after a pickup truck driving the wrong way on a freeway collided head-on with his car. Police reportedly detected the odor of alcohol.
- 5/7/2016
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
American Idol season two finalist Rickey Smith was killed in a multi-car accident Friday in Oklahoma. He was 36. Following his death, his past competitors Ruben Studdard, who won his season, and Clay Aiken, the runner-up, posted tributes to him online. Local authorities said Smith died when a 27-year-old male driver drove his Gmc pickup truck the wrong way on a highway near Oklahoma City and crashed into him, a police official told E! News. Smith, who was driving a Honda Accord, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was treated at a local hospital and then released into police custody. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers believe he may...
- 5/6/2016
- E! Online
American Idol finalist Rickey Smith has died in an Oklahoma car crash. He was 36.
Smith, who was featured on the show's second season, was killed early Friday morning in a wrong-way wreck by an allegedly drunk driver, NewsOK and Koco report.
Smith was traveling on the I-240 freeway outside of Oklahoma City just after 3 a.m. when another driver, identified by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as Gerardo Cerda Jr., collided head-on with Smith's Honda Accord. Cerda, 27, who was traveling west in the eastbound lane in a Gmc pickup truck, was treated at a local hospital following the crash. He was...
Smith, who was featured on the show's second season, was killed early Friday morning in a wrong-way wreck by an allegedly drunk driver, NewsOK and Koco report.
Smith was traveling on the I-240 freeway outside of Oklahoma City just after 3 a.m. when another driver, identified by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as Gerardo Cerda Jr., collided head-on with Smith's Honda Accord. Cerda, 27, who was traveling west in the eastbound lane in a Gmc pickup truck, was treated at a local hospital following the crash. He was...
- 5/6/2016
- by Christina Dugan, @Christina_Dugan
- People.com - TV Watch
American Idol finalist Rickey Smith has died in an Oklahoma car crash. He was 36. Smith, who was featured on the show's second season, was killed early Friday morning in a wrong-way wreck by an allegedly drunk driver, NewsOK and Koco reports. Smith was traveling on the I-240 freeway outside of Oklahoma City just after 3 a.m. when another driver, identified by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as Gerardo Cerda Jr., collided head-on with Smith's Honda Accord. Cerda, 27, who was traveling west in the eastbound lanes in a Gmc pickup truck, was treated at a local hospital following the crash. He was...
- 5/6/2016
- by Christina Dugan, @Christina_Dugan
- PEOPLE.com
American Idol finalist Rickey Smith has died in an Oklahoma car crash. He was 36. Smith, who was featured on the show's second season, was killed early Friday morning in a wrong-way wreck by an allegedly drunk driver, NewsOK and Koco reports. Smith was traveling on the I-240 freeway outside of Oklahoma City just after 3 a.m. when another driver, identified by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as Gerardo Cerda Jr., collided head-on with Smith's Honda Accord. Cerda, 27, who was traveling west in the eastbound lanes in a Gmc pickup truck, was treated at a local hospital following the crash. He was...
- 5/6/2016
- by Christina Dugan, @Christina_Dugan
- PEOPLE.com
Rickey Smith, a Season 2 finalist on “American Idol,” died early Friday morning in a car crash just outside of Oklahoma City, TMZ reports. He was 36. According to Koco 5, the crash occurred when a pickup truck traveling the wrong way on I-240 struck Smith’s Honda Accord shortly after 3 a.m. Friday. Smith died in the crash. The driver of the pickup truck, 27-year-old Gerardo Cerda Jr., was hospitalized. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers detected the smell of alcohol on Cerda, Koco reports. A spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol told TheWrap that officers are consulting with the district attorney to determine.
- 5/6/2016
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
American Idol Season 2 finalist Rickey Smith was killed in a multi-car accident Thursday night, according to TMZ.
Smith, who memorably donned a disco-fabulous Afro wig for a performance of Earth Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove” and wound up finishing eighth behind Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, was 36.
He was also known for smiling and chanting “Hercules! Hercules!” during his run on the show.
According to TMZ, Smith’s vehicle was hit head-on by another car traveling the wrong way down Oklahoma’s I-240. That driver was booked for DUI.
Several of Smith’s Idol compatriots took to social...
Smith, who memorably donned a disco-fabulous Afro wig for a performance of Earth Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove” and wound up finishing eighth behind Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, was 36.
He was also known for smiling and chanting “Hercules! Hercules!” during his run on the show.
According to TMZ, Smith’s vehicle was hit head-on by another car traveling the wrong way down Oklahoma’s I-240. That driver was booked for DUI.
Several of Smith’s Idol compatriots took to social...
- 5/6/2016
- TVLine.com
Former "American Idol" finalist Rickey Smith was killed Thursday night in a multi-car highway wreck in Oklahoma. Smith was on I-240 just outside Oklahoma City when, according to reports, another man driving the wrong way on the interstate slammed head-on into Smith's vehicle. Cops say the other driver was hospitalized and booked for DUI. Smith competed on the second season of 'Idol,' and finished in eighth place. Ruben Studdard took the title that year.
- 5/6/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
American Idol's Rickey Smith has died at the age of 36. The season 2 finalist was killed in a car accident.
As TMZ first reported, Gerardo Cerda, Jr. was driving his truck on the wrong side of I-240 near Oklahoma City when he collided into Smith's vehicle. According to police, Cerda was taken to the hospital and arrested for DUI. The interstate was closed for over three hours following the incident. A local Oklahoma news station was on the scene Friday morning, and you can watch that brief report here.
As TMZ first reported, Gerardo Cerda, Jr. was driving his truck on the wrong side of I-240 near Oklahoma City when he collided into Smith's vehicle. According to police, Cerda was taken to the hospital and arrested for DUI. The interstate was closed for over three hours following the incident. A local Oklahoma news station was on the scene Friday morning, and you can watch that brief report here.
- 5/6/2016
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
There’s this weird part of the week — from Friday morning till Monday evening — when not a single major TV network airs a reality singing competition. It’s terrible, I know, but it also gives me a lot of time to ponder American Idol history. (Everyone does this in their free time, yes?) And my latest flight of Idol fancy got me mulling this question: Was Season 11′s Top 10 the strongest — top to bottom — in show history? Let’s examine:
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
- 3/26/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
For the first time in 10 seasons, "American Idol" hit Milwaukee for an audition round. Milwaukee: Best known for cheese, beer and Danny Gokey. To honor the occasion, I'm drinkin' a brewsky (imported, natch), nibbling on some cheddar, (Cheez-Its, natch) and I don't plan on ever, ever shutting up.
Mr. Gokey returned to "Idol" during Wednesday night's (January 26) audition episode, happily telling hopeful contestants, "In a moment your life can change, you guys!" He's right — it only takes an instant (and a tragic back story) to turn you into the target of "Idol" bloggers' venom and resentment.
Which brings us to Chris Medina, the most polarizing contestant since the Gokester. (I know Julie Andrews says, "Let's start at the very beginning," but she's not the boss of me. I'm doing this blog "Memento" style, starting at the end and working my way back. Deal with it, Maria von Trapp.)
Medina's narrative...
Mr. Gokey returned to "Idol" during Wednesday night's (January 26) audition episode, happily telling hopeful contestants, "In a moment your life can change, you guys!" He's right — it only takes an instant (and a tragic back story) to turn you into the target of "Idol" bloggers' venom and resentment.
Which brings us to Chris Medina, the most polarizing contestant since the Gokester. (I know Julie Andrews says, "Let's start at the very beginning," but she's not the boss of me. I'm doing this blog "Memento" style, starting at the end and working my way back. Deal with it, Maria von Trapp.)
Medina's narrative...
- 1/27/2011
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
The Season 10 premiere of "American Idol" is less than a week away and to make the days go by a bit faster, Zap2it decided to take a stroll down memory lane and re-evaluate the previous nine seasons.
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
Yesterday, it was a look back at Season 1, the good (Kelly Clarkson!), the bad (Nikki McKibbin) and the ugly (Ryan Starr's wardrobe). Now it's Season 2's turn, which had arguably the most debated finale ever, as only 130,000 votes separated Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. We all know Ruben took home the title, but did he really deserve to him?...
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
Yesterday, it was a look back at Season 1, the good (Kelly Clarkson!), the bad (Nikki McKibbin) and the ugly (Ryan Starr's wardrobe). Now it's Season 2's turn, which had arguably the most debated finale ever, as only 130,000 votes separated Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. We all know Ruben took home the title, but did he really deserve to him?...
- 1/14/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Although Clay Aiken says his decision to come out might lose him a few fans, three of his former American Idol competitors have his back. "This news does not change my opinion of him or my friendship with him," says Carmen Rasmusen, 23, who competed alongside Aiken during the show's second season. But she admits she was somewhat shocked by the news. "I'm surprised, I guess because he kept it quiet for so long!" Rasmusen, who is expecting a son with husband Brad Herbert this Christmas, added, "As I'm also going to be a mom, I know how parenthood completely changes your perspective.
- 9/24/2008
- by Jessica Gold Haralson
- PEOPLE.com
Clay Aiken's fellow American Idol stars are thrilled for the new daddy – and one even has her own baby news. "Congratulations! I am very happy for him," Rickey Smith, 29, told People. "He has great morals and ethics, and I think his baby will be brought up in love." Smith added that baby Parker Foster Aiken's birthdate of Aug. 8 has a personal significance. "My grandmother's birthday, God rest her soul, was August 8," Smith said. "I lost her, but here, another life has been born, so that's pretty memorable to me. Eight is a lucky number in my family – so tell [Clay] welcome to the family!
- 8/14/2008
- by Kristen Mascia
- PEOPLE.com
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