US EditionViral '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.
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58 Articles
'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. ‘…
Dies at 32 Doug Kiker, the contestant for 'American Idol' who made Katy Perry cry
Amateur singer Doug Kiker, known for his participation in the 2020 American Idol contest, has died at the age of 32 because of unknown causes, as confirmed by his family.Nature of Alabama and garbage collection employee, Kiker became famous during the 18th season of American Idol. His emotional performance of the song God Bless This Broken Road by Rascal Flatts made Katy Perry, who serves as a jury in the contest, cry out of emotion.Despite bein…
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