« American Idol » alumnus Nikki McKibbin, who reached the last three of the show’s inaugural season in 2002, has died at the age of 42 Justin Guarini, season runner-up 1, broke the news on her Instagram on October 31
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 impressing 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 a brain aneurysm and was on life support until the end of October 30
« Saw my friend Nikki (McKibbin) Sadler go from karaoke bar to runner-up in American Idol freshman She’s on life support after suffering from an aneurysm, » he said. he writes on Twitter « They will end their lives tonight Please pray for her husband Craig and his family I’m heartbroken »
McKibbin caught the attention of Stevie Nicks herself, who sent words of support to the then 23-year-old singer after seeing her sing « Gypsy » on the show Guarini remembered with tenderness of this moment in its homage
« @realnikkimckibbin was a fiery, funny woman who could sing Hell to a rock song with the same kind of ease and command 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 punches she took at the hands of the masses, she deserved to feel good about herself, even for a little moment Get a good rest « Gypsy… and thanks for the laughter, the unforgiving teases, the strength, the vulnerability, the love and the friendship you showed me during our time together in the spotlight #rip #americanidol »
@realnikkimckibbin was a fiery, funny woman who could sing the hell out of a rock song with the same kind of ease and control that she lovingly used to cut you off with her twangy southerner spirit Even in 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 but I’ll never forget the day her idol, Stevie Nicks, sent her flowers with a card that read: “You are the gypsy that I was…” Nikki was over cloud nine and joy and excitement radiating from her were 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 Get a good rest, “Gypsy”… and thank you for the laughs, the ruthless teasing, strength, vulnerability, love and friendship you have shown me during our time together in the spotlight #rip #americanidol
McKibbin began her adventure in reality shows in 2001 by entering the WB “Popstars” contest After turning on “Idol,” she signed a deal via RCA from Sony Music, but she got attention on 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 in Bravo’s « Sober House », « Fear Factor » and « Battle of the Network Reality Stars » shows «
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 gifted his mother a rose on the « Idol » scene when he was only four years old
Nikki McKibbin was an incredible talent and we are deeply saddened by the news of her passing She was part of our American Idol family and will be truly missed Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this difficult time
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Nikki McKibbin, American Idol, Justin Guarini, Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House, Contestant
News from around the world – United States – Nikki McKibbin, former of « American Idol », dies in 42 years old
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
