Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Shock and sadness spread across The Voice community Saturday morning following the death of Christina Grimmie.

One of the most talented and popular singers to grace The Voice stage in the show’s 10 seasons, Grimmie was fatally shot Friday night while signing autographs following a show in Orlando, Fla.

“I cannot breathe or speak. I have never felt pain like this,” Bria Kelly, one of her best friends from the show, wrote on Twitter. “You changed my life. Nothing will ever fill this void.”

The Voice also sent out a message on its official Twitter account: “There are no words. We lost a beautiful soul with an amazing voice. Our hearts go out to the friends, fans and family of @TheRealGrimmie.”

Added Carson Daly: “So sad about @TheRealGrimmie. I’m still in shock. She was special. Had IT. Talented. Kind. Funny. Loving. Courageous. We hurt with her family.”

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that a male armed with two guns approached the merchandise table at The Plaza Live at about 10:30 p.m. Friday night and opened fire.

Christina’s brother then tackled the gunman, who took his own life, according to the newspaper. Police haven’t identified the gunman. They’re investigating a motive and how he managed to get two guns into the venue.

Christina had opened for Before You Exit and was meeting with fans when shot. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and died at 3 a.m.

Fellow contestants of The Voice make it clear how badly she’ll be missed.

Christina Grimmie with Jack Worthington at the Season 6 finals on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

“My heart is so broken right now,” he wrote. “You were such an inspiration to me. We became so close and I loved you like a little sister, yet I always looked up to you. You weren’t just an incredible singer, you were an incredible human being … just a kid with millions of fans who stayed humble and strong in her faith in Christ.

“I feel angry, and sad and that I have no tears left to cry, but I know if I were to talk to you, you would tell me that you are with your Lord and Savior. I’ve never met anyone like you, you were one of a kind and always there for me. I love you kid, I will miss you so so much.”

Added Sisaundra Lewis, a Top 8 finisher from Season 6 on Twitter: “Only a sick coward would do something like this!! So heartbroken for @TheRealGrimmie family. She was such a bright light. #devastated”

And from Ria Eaton, another Season 6 contestant: “The energy Christina brought into a room was so uplifting for everyone around her. There are no words to explain the way Christina has touched people’s lives. In the best way. She will be forever missed.”

Christina also had a huge social media following, even before appearing on The Voice, because of her YouTube videos. That combined with a highly praised blind audition performance of “Wrecking Ball” made her an early favorite during the show’s sixth season.

But when Christina talked to the media the day after her audition aired, it was cleared she had her “celebrity” status in perspective. Some of her fans, she said, were shocked that The Voice judges didn’t recognize her. “And I’m like. ‘Are you serious? Like, of course they don’t know who I am. I’m not a household name or anything,’” she said at the time.

She wound up finishing third, behind Josh Kaufman and Jake Worthington. And she leaves behind an impressive musical legacy: two albums from before The Voice, including the superb “With Love” from 2013; four singles and an EP since the show.

That EP, called “Side A,” was her best work yet. Released in February, it’s easily some of the best music to come from a former Voice contestant this year. Just listen below.

See also …
The Voice coaches react
GoFundMe campaign started to support Christina’s family
Coverage from the Orlando Sentinel