Willie Spence.Photo: Eric McCandless via Getty
Willie Spence, a singer who placed second onAmerican Idolin 2021, died in a car accident in Tennessee on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. He was 23.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office did not have any further information available.
“We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence,“American Idolwrote in astatementshared on Twitter. “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.”
The singer hadposted a videoof himself singing in the car earlier on Tuesday, and was in the midst of promoting a show he was set to play at the Trinity Baptist Church in London on Nov. 12.
“I do this for me, but not only for me,” he toldLionel Richie,Katy PerryandLuke Bryanduring his audition. “I do this for my family. They’ve always supported me, they’ve been there from the very beginning.”
Perry told Spence that his voice “stops people in their tracks,” and also asked the singer what he wanted his life to look like in five years.
“I just want my voice to reach the world, and just share my gift,” he told her. “Hopefully winning a Grammy one day, that’s where I see myself in five years. It’s gonna take hard work, but I feel like I can do it.”
Willie Spence and Katharine McPhee.Eric McCandless via Getty
The performance was highly praised, with Richie calling Spence “Willie Pavarotti” and Bryan telling Spence, “You do no wrong in my eyes.”
“Part of being a star is making people fall in love with you and, man, I am in love with you,” the country star said. “And I am in love with the way you go about being on stage, and the way you go about singing and the place it comes from. It’s amazing.”
Katharine McPhee Foster/Instagram
McPhee paid tribute to Spence on Instagram following his death, sharing a video of theirIdolperformance to her Instagram Story.
“I received very tragic news tonight,” McPhee wrote. “Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised. God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”
She later commented on one of his Instagram posts: “Sweet Willie… you deserved the stars and the moon. I’m so sorry for the world to be robbed of more precious time with you. You were an absolute Angel. I know you are up there now with the rest of the angels. God rest your soul. For now I’m 💔”
Country starMickey Guytonalso paid tribute, commenting on Instagram: “You truly were and will always be such a gift to us. We love you.”
source: people.com
