
“American Idol” alum CJ Harris, who competed in Season 13 and placed sixth overall, died Sunday at age 31 following a medical emergency, a Walker County Coroner’s spokesman confirmed to USA TODAY.
TMZ first reported the news, with a family member telling the outlet that Harris suffered a heart attack. An official cause of death has not been released.
In 2014, Harris performed Allman Brothers’ “Soul Shine” at her audition, earning praise from then-judge Keith Urban. who said, “You sing because you have to sing, not because you want to sing. And I mean it. And that’s why it’s so believable and real.” Harris went on to sing songs like John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change,” Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'” and Darius Rucker’s “Radio” before finishing in sixth place. He released her debut single “In Love” in 2019.
‘I am in shock’:‘American Idol’ runner-up Willie Spence dies after car crash at 23
The Alabama native spoke about the impact of his experience with “Idol” in a 2014 interview with AL.com.
“I grew up in church, playing gospel music and singing in the choir. I guess I was a little nervous about going on ‘Idol’ because I didn’t know if I was ready. I didn’t have the training,” Harris he said at the time. “Now when I go on stage in front of this crowd, it doesn’t matter if I have my eyes closed. I don’t have to keep a camera view. I can calm down, relax and be myself. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to see those lights on the stage. Every time I climb into bed right after a show, I still can’t believe I was on stage. I’m having so much more fun than on the TV show.”
In October, another “American Idol” alum, Willie Spence, died at age 23 after crashing into the back of a tractor-trailer that was parked on the shoulder of an interstate highway, according to reports from ABC News and NBC News. citing a Tennessee Highway Patrol. report. He finished in second place in season 19.
In November 2020, Nikki McKibbin, who finished third behind Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini on the first season of “American Idol,” died at age 42.
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