« American Idol » alumnus Nikki McKibbin, who reached the last three of the show’s inaugural season in 2002, has died at age 42 Justin Guarini, season runner-up 1, announced on Halloween night on his Instagram page
The Grand Prairie, Texas native finished third in the competition behind Guarini and winner Kelly Clarkson in the famous first season of the Fox reality show She reached the final after wowing the judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson with interpretations of songs by Melissa Etheridge, Alanis Morissette, Bonnie Tyler, Janis Joplin and finally Alannah Myles with her interpretation of « Black Velvet »
According to a tweet from Redeye Radio host Gary McNamara, McKibbon suffered from an aneurysm and was on life support until last night
« Saw my friend Nikki (McKibbin) Sadler go from karaoke bar to American Idol freshman finalist She is on life support after suffering from an aneurysm, » he wrote. on her Twitter page, @ garyredeye1 « They will end their lives tonight Please pray for her husband Craig and his family I’m heartbroken »
McKibbin caught the attention of Nicks herself, who sent words of support to the then 23-year-old singer after seeing her sing on the show Guarini fondly remembered the moment in his tribute
« @realnikkimckibbin was a fiery, funny woman who could sing Hell to a rock song with the same kind of ease and control that she lovingly used to cut you off with her sparkling southerner spirit », a- he writes « Even in her twenties, when we were together on American Idol, I could tell she had had a difficult life, and not many people had been nice to her along the way. » »
He continued: « But I will never forget the day his idol, Stevie Nicks, sent him flowers with a card that read: ‘You are the gypsy that I was’ Nikki was on cloud nine and the joy and excitement that radiated from her was contagious After the kind of emotional blows she took at the hands of the masses, she deserved to feel good about herself, even for a little while. Gypsy, and thank you for the laughter, the ruthless teasing, strength, vulnerability, love and friendship you have shown me during our time together in the spotlight #rip #americanidol «
McKibbin began her reality TV adventure in 2001 by entering the WB Popstars contest After turning on Idol, she signed a deal through RCA and 19 Records, but locked down her refusal to record a country album She eventually released a rock album, « Unleashed », in 2007
Years after Idol, she appeared on the VH1 reality show Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew in 2008 seeking treatment for alcohol and cocaine addiction She then appeared on the Sober House shows , Fear Factor and Bravo’s Battle of the Network Reality Stars
She briefly returned to Idol in 2014 when her 15-year-old son, Tristan Langley, auditioned for the show before judges Harry Connick Jr, Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez Langley gave his mother a rose on stage of Idol when he was only four years old
Nikki McKibbin, American Idol, Justin Guarini, contestant, Kelly Clarkson
World news – United States – Nikki McKibbin, American Idol season 1 contestant, dies in 42 years old
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
