American Idol finalist Willie Spence posted a heartbreaking video of him belting out a Christian song in his parked car hours before he died in a horror crash.
The 23-year-old shared now chilling footage of him singing ‘You Are My Hiding Place’ before he slammed his 2019 Jeep Cherokee into a parked semitruck in Jasper, Tennessee.
The talented singer kept his eyes closed as he tilted his head back and blared out the emotional anthem from earlier yesterday.
It came just hours before his car left the road and slammed into the back of the parked truck on the side of Interstate 24.
He had earlier suffered a flat tire while leaving the state on his way home to Atlanta, Georgia but got it fixed.
The 68-year-old driver of the tractor trailer was pulled over in the emergency lane of the highway and was uninjured.
American Idol officials acknowledged their beloved star on social media claiming they are ‘devastated’ while sharing a photo of Spence performing on stage during season 19.
‘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 and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones.’
Katharine McPhee revealed Spence had passed in a tear-jerking Instagram post on her feed on Tuesday.
The singer, who performed with him during American Idol, said ‘life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised’.
Her post was followed by an influx of heartbroken celebrities paying tribute, including producer Randall Emmett who said, ‘I’ll miss you my friend’.
Willie Spence, 23, was driving in Tennessee when he died in a car crash moments after posting a video of himself singing on Instagram
Spence appeared on Season 19 of American Idol and performed as one of the finalists on the season finale
American Idol officials said they were ‘devastated’ to learn about the alumni’s passing
The season 19 American Idol finalists performed alongside co-star Katharine McPhee. She confirmed Spence’s death on social media in a grieving post topped with photos of her former American Idol star
McPhee Posted a video of her and Spence while announcing his death
Spence was driving a 2019 Jeep Cherokee when he plowed into the parked tractor trailer on his way home to Georgia. Pictured: a Jeep similar to the one Spence was driving
Spence was set to be back in his Georgia home soon before he died. The home is affiliated with the singer and his mother Sharon Spence
Spence sang his heart out one last time before plowing into a semi-truck. The 68-year-year-old driver was wearing a seatbelt and so was the singer.
Producer Emmett, who called Spence his friend, mourned the singer on Instagram following the news of his passing.
‘My friend @williespenceofficial passed away today,’ Emmett wrote. ‘My heart is broken and my prayers go out to his family. I met Willie four ago after his amazing voice went viral on Youtube.’
‘I was lucky to have him sing for me live at my home and other events, I will miss you my friend. I know you touched so many of us. I’m heart broken. I will cherish our talks, Rest in Peace, god bless.’
Season 19 Idol co-star Alex Miller also remembered Spence and the moments they shared together backstage on the show.
‘I heard some really shocking news this morning,’ Miller wrote. ‘A friend of mine from idol passed away Willie Spence. I got to sing with Willie behind the scenes of the show, and I enjoyed watching him go all the way to the finale of American Idol. So sorry for his family, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.’
Four-time Granny nominee Mickey Guyton also paid tribute to the fellow singer Wednesday morning with a simple tweet.
‘Dear God rip sweet Willie Spence,’ Guyton wrote.
Film Director Randall Emmett, who called Spence his friend, also mourned the singer on Instagram
Four-time Granny nominee Mickey Guyton also paid tribute to the fellow singer Wednesday morning with a simple tweet
Willie Spence Sr. and Sharon Spence have been supportive of their son’s career. The pair haven’t spoken out about their son’s unexpected death
Fans were quick to head to Spence’s last post of him singing in the car to acknowledge his shocking death.
‘You shined down here, but now you’re shining even brighter up there,’ one fan wrote. ‘Such a beautiful soul.’
‘Singing to the angels now. Rest in Peace Willie,’ another added along with a heart and prayer hands.
‘It’s crazy he posted this right before he got into the accident… you definitely sang your way to heaven king,’ one person wrote in disbelief.
Some fans recalled the moments they ran into the American Idol star and were ‘blessed’ by his ‘humble’ presence.
‘Thank you for every humble encounter you blessed me with,’ one fan wrote. ‘Always a joy to be around. Ever since the moment we met and sang together in my parking lot of all places. U are missed and we are here to comfort your mother and family. LITERALLY. Rest easy Willie.’
‘It’s crazy he posted this right before he got into the accident… you definitely sang your way to heaven king,’ one person wrote in disbelief.
Some fans recalled the moments they ran into the American Idol star and were ‘blessed’ by his ‘humble’ presence.
‘Thank you for every humble encounter you blessed me with,’ one fan wrote. ‘Always a joy to be around. Ever since the moment we met and sang together in my parking lot of all places. U are missed and we are here to comfort your mother and family. LITERALLY. Rest easy Willie.’
Fans were quick to remember Spence and recalled him as ‘humble’
He began his journey on the show in February 2021 and came in second behind singer Chayce Beckham in the finale
The American Idol star who sang ‘Georgia on My Mind’ during the season 19 finale jumpstarted his career at the age of three when he began singing at his grandfather’s church in Florida, according to Spence’s biography on Eventbrite.
Spence later took his singing career to the next level on YouTube for his 591,000 subscribers that have followed his live performances since about four years ago.
He began his journey on American Idol in February 2021 when he auditioned to the song ‘Diamonds’ by Rhianna. Spence came in second behind singer Chayce Beckham in the finale.
While Spence didn’t win on the show, he was known to give Judge’s Lionel Richie and Katy Perry chills as his performances pierced their hearts.
Richie dubbed Spence, ‘a giant voice, and a giant presence.’ He later called Spence’s performance to Bette Midler’s 1988 hit Wind Beneath My Wings ‘mesmerizing to watch.’
Perry called it ‘goosebump central’ while complementing how the song ‘showcased’ his voice.
The ‘Teenage Dream’ singer once joked that Spence’s performances were so provoking, they might have undone her cosmetic surgery. The comedic comment was after Spence sang his original song, ‘Never Be Alone’ mixed with Beyonce’s hit ‘I Was Here.’
Spence has been hinting at releasing a gospel album on Instagram telling fans to ‘Stay Tuned’ for an announcement while teasing one his original songs.
‘I extremely can’t wait to share this news with you all,’ he wrote two weeks ago while sharing an exclusive snippet.
‘Aye I’m ready,’ one fan wrote at the time in anticipation.
During season 19 of Idol, Spence belted Bette Midler’s 1988 hit Wind Beneath My Wings
Besotted: Judge Lionel Richie (L) gushed that it was ‘mesmerizing to watch’ Spence and judge Luke Bryan (R) said he could ‘do no wrong in my eyes’
Powerful performances: The moment Willie sing an original song called Never Be Alone, then do a soaring version of Beyoncé’s I Was Here before the finale of Idol
The American Idol legend was set to headline in London next year alongside special guest performances by The Voice UK stars Lois Moodie, Emmanuel Smith, Loxton Mitchell and Kieron Daniel
Spence was also set to appear in London in 2023 for the ‘London Band Week’ alongside the SOS Warriors Marching Band from Florida
Spence had multiple performances lined up through 2023 with his next one being on October 18 in New York City for American Idol star Alyssa Wray’s show.
‘New York City. My first time ever. Here I come,’ Spence wrote on Instagram two weeks ago. ‘Y’all don’t wanna miss this, it’s gonna be everything.’
He also planned to perform live in London on November 12 for an evening of praise and worship at Trinity Baptist Church.
The American Idol legend was set to headline alongside special guest performances by The Voice UK stars Lois Moodie, Emmanuel Smith, Loxton Mitchell and Kieron Daniel.
McPhee also commented on Spence’s previous post advertising the London event while mourning his short life.
‘Sweet Willie… you deserved the stars and the moon,’ McPhee wrote. ‘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.’
Spence was also set to appear in London in 2023 for the ‘London Band Week’ alongside the SOS Warriors Marching Band from Florida.
‘I will be singing the National Anthem with the band during the week long competition,’ Spence announced about two months ago while posting a photo with the marching band director Antoine Miller.
Spence leaves behind a series of singing videos on his Instagram page for fans to remember him by.