Doug Kiker, American Idol Contestant, Dead at 32

Studying Time: 3 minutes

Very unhappy in the present day out of the leisure world:

Doug Kiker, a singer who impressed viewers on Season 18 of American Idol, has handed away.

He was 32 years previous.

This terrible improvement was confirmed on Thursday by the family members of Kiker.

“It’s with a heavy coronary heart that we now have to announce the passing of my brother, Douglas Kiker,” the singer’s sister, Angela Evans, wrote by way of Fb, for instance.

“He was sooo liked and might be missed by so many! You’re singing with the angels now Bubba. Please pray for our household as we go [through] this very tough time.”

No reason for loss of life has been introduced at this time.

A local of Cell, Alabama, Kiker competed on the ABC competitors again 2020, incomes the nickname at the time as “The Singing Rubbish Man” as a consequence of his day job as a sanitation employee.

His audition moved then-judge Katy Perry to tears, because the aspiring artist carried out Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Damaged Highway.”

Though he was eradicated the next spherical after singing Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t No Mountain Excessive Sufficient,” Kiker was later invited again to nearly carry out “Bless the Damaged Highway” with the aforementioned nation trio.

“For a person who has no thought what his voice can do, for a person who has no thought what key he’s singing in, for a person who has no thought who the heck he might be, he’s right here to do one factor: He’s attempting to indicate his daughter that he’s someone,” decide Lionel Richie stated of Kiker on Season 18, including:

“I would like us all to let you already know, you’re a hell of a person. I would like you to come back get this ticket. You’re going to Hollywood!”

Kiker’s sister Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez additionally issued a press release on her relative’s passing.

“As we speak, I acquired the decision that nobody desires to get. We misplaced an incredible individual in the present day. He had the most important smile and knew the right way to make you snort,” Carrillos-Ramirez wrote by way of Fb on Wednesday. “I do know I didn’t elevate him, however I by no means stopped loving him.

“My mother and father did an incredible job with him. Douglas Kiker, you’ll endlessly be missed. Fly excessive. Say hey to grandma.”

Kiker is survived by two kids.

A GoFundMe has been arrange for Doug by Donna.

“Assist Us Lay Our Cherished One to Relaxation It’s with heavy hearts that we now have to say goodbye to one of the crucial honest souls and most hilarious individual of all. Douglas, a beloved son, brother, father and good friend,” the GoFundMe reads.

“Any contribution, regardless of the quantity, will go on to the funeral prices and permit us to navigate this tough time with out the added monetary burden. Thanks on your love, help, and generosity throughout this extremely tough time. We vastly admire every and everybody of y’all.”