Viral 'American Idol' contestant dead at 32, family says
- Douglas Kiker, also known as The Singing Garbage Man, and a contestant from Greensboro, Ala. on season 18 of a singing competition series in 2020, has died unexpectedly in Denver, CO, according to his family.
- Kiker gained recognition after his 2020 American Idol audition moved Katy Perry to tears and wowed judges Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan with his cover of Rascal Flatts' "Bless the Broken Road."
- His audition was notable because Kiker, who sang in the back of his garbage truck, emphasized he had no professional experience, prompting Bryan to declare he was a fan and Richie to insist all the judges give Kiker his golden ticket to Hollywood.
- On March 12, Douglas' mother, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez, confirmed the news of his passing and shared a message, stating, "Today I got the call that no one wants to get" and "We lost an amazing person today."
- Following Douglas' unexpected death, a GoFundMe fundraiser was established to assist with funeral expenses, and his family described him as a beloved son, brother, father, friend, and the most hilarious person, while his ex-fiancée, Valerie Cook, expressed sadness for their children's loss of their father; the cause of death has not been revealed.
58 Articles
58 Articles
Singer who made Katy Perry cry on American Idol passes away
Doug Kiker, the Alabama native known as the “Singing Garbage Man” from American Idol who made Katy Perry cry, has passed away at the age of 32. His sisters, Angela Evans and Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez, confirmed his death in separate Facebook posts. His former fiancée, Valerie Cook, told media that he died on Monday. The cause of death has not been revealed. Doug Kiker became a fan favourite on American Idol season 18 when he auditioned in 20…
'American Idol' contestant from Mobile, Alabama dead at 32, family says
(NEXSTAR) – Douglas Kiker, the garbage collector from Mobile, Alabama, who touched hearts with his singing voice on "American Idol" has died, his family announced on social media. His sister, Angela Evans, announced Kiker's death in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Another family member, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez, remembered him as an "amazing person." "He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh," she wrote. He was 32 years old, NB…
Viral 'American Idol' contestant dead at 32, family says
(NEXSTAR) – Douglas Kiker, the garbage collector who touched hearts with his singing voice on "American Idol" has died, his family announced on social media. His sister, Angela Evans, announced Kiker's death in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Another family member, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez, remembered him as an "amazing person." "He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh," she wrote. He was 32 years old, NBC News reports. ‘…
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