Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Willie Spence performs on Season 19 of American Idol. (ABC Photo)

Willie Spence, runner-up on Season 19 of American Idol, died Tuesday in a car crash at age 23.

The crash happened on a highway near Chattanooga, Tenn., according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

The Jeep Cherokee Spence was driving veered off the side of the road and struck a vehicle stopped on the shoulder, they said. The driver of that vehicle was uninjured.

Just hours before his death, Spence posted a video on Instagram in which he sang a worship song called “You Are My Hiding Place” from inside a vehicle.

American Idol posted the following statement about his passing: “We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence. 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.”

And tributes poured in from his cast mates, including Season 19 champ Chayce Beckham.

“He was a good sweet soul,” Chayce wrote, “and a warm beam of light in a cold and dark world that needed him so much.

“When willie sang I swear it would shake a whole room. I think Willie had a voice that God gave him specifically to spread his message, when Willie sang gospel it could make you cry.

Willie also had a laugh that could make you melt, an honest humor you couldn’t help but love, and the biggest heart you could imagine all wrapped up into one human. His larger than life energy was infectious and I loved being around him.”

Post-Idol, Willie released an EP in April 2021 called “The Voice.”

Below is his Season 19 audition and a duet he performed with Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee.

She was among those who paid tribute to him on social media, writing: “”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.”