Fans and mates are reeling as phrase spreads of “American Idol” season 19 runner-up Willie Spence’s deadly automobile accident, however some are discovering consolation within the final phrases he publicly wrote and sang on Instagram hours earlier than his demise at age 23.
Willie Spence Performed Worship Song in His Car on Instagram Video
In the 12 months since he positioned second on “American Idol,” simply behind nation singer Chayce Beckham, Spence had been having fun with his rising success as a gospel singer. He launched his first album in 2021, appeared on the “Idol” reunion show in May 2022, and was performing numerous gigs across the U.S. with others deliberate within the U.Okay.
According to NBC News, Spence’s deadly crash occurred at round 4 p.m. on October 11, 2022, in Marion County in East Tennessee. A preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol states that Spence’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee “left the roadway” and collided with the again of a tractor trailer that was parked on the shoulder of the interstate. Both he and the motive force of the truck have been sporting their seatbelts.
A number of hours earlier than his tragic demise, Spence posted an Instagram video of himself in a automobile whereas in Nashville, belting out the worship track “You Are My Hiding Place.” In the caption, Spence merely wrote, “Lord you might be my hiding place” and added two emojis — a microphone and the eyes-welling-with-tears face.
Spence sang the complete track, written in 1981 by Michael Ledner, about placing one’s religion in God:
You are my hiding place
You at all times fill my coronary heart with songs of deliverance
Whenever I’m afraid,
I’ll belief in You,
I’ll belief in You;
Let the weak say I’m sturdy within the power of my Lord.You are my hiding place
You at all times fill my coronary heart with songs of deliverance
Whenever I’m afraidI’ll belief in You,
I’ll belief in You;
Let the weak say I’m sturdy within the power of the Lord.
Spence’s submit has struck many followers as eerily comforting and prophetic.
Season 18 “Idol” contestant Jimmy Levy wrote, “God was prepared to carry you in his arms in heaven after this track. HalleluYah he despatched you as an angel on earth.”
One grieving fan wrote, “This is past loopy that is your final submit! God wanted you extra … that is coronary heart breaking ! God why. Such a wonderful soul.”
Another commented, “What a wonderful ultimate curtain name. RIP Willie Spence, the world has heard you.”
“It’s loopy he posted this proper earlier than he received into the accident,” one girl wrote, including, “you positively sang your solution to heaven king … so so so sooo unhappy”
‘American Idol’ Judges Said They Could See Willie Spence’s Future During First Audition
Spence blew the “American Idol” judges away throughout his first audition, which aired on ABC in early 2021. Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan have been so impressed that they frolicked speaking with Spence about his desires in what has develop into, in hindsight, a heartbreaking dialogue about his future.
After giving Spence’s rendition of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” a standing ovation, Richie repeatedly stated “unbelievable” and Bryan added, “You are a particular, particular human being.”
Perry then posed a critical query to Spence.
“So my query is…when you concentrate on your future and you recognize the voice you have got — as a result of, you recognize, it stops folks of their tracks, that is the magic you have got — in 5 years, what would you like it to appear like in your wildest desires if nothing was standing in your method?”
Spence answered, “I simply need my voice to succeed in the world and simply share my reward. Hopefully successful a Grammy someday. That’s the place I see myself in 5 years.”
When Perry requested if he thought he may do it, he stated, “It’s gonna take laborious work, however I believe I can do it.”
Bryan agreed, saying, “That Grammy is attainable, little doubt in my thoughts. I imply, you begin singing…I see your lifetime, like I see all of it! To watch any person sing from a spot that I try to sing from — the purest place on the planet and it simply comes out of your coronary heart and your mind.”
American Idol’s social media accounts posted a tribute to Spence on the morning of October 12, stating, “We are devastated in regards to the passing of our beloved American Idol member of the family, Willie Spence. He was a real expertise who lit up each room he entered and can be deeply missed. We ship our condolences to his family members.”
