Douglas KikerA viral American idol The candidate, who made pop star Katy Perry emotionally during his audition, died at the age of 32, reported diversity.
The sisters of Kiker, Angela Evans and Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez confirmed the news on Facebook on Wednesday evening. A cause of death was not announced.
“With a heavy heart we have to announce the death of my brother Douglas Kiker,” wrote Evans.
“He was sooo loved and is missed by so many! Your singing with the angel now Bubba please pray for our family while we have this very difficult time.” Evans added, as cited by Variety.
His sister, Carrikkis-Ramirez, also expressed her love for her brother and said he had the greatest smile and knew how to make people laugh.
“Today I got the call that nobody wants to get. We lost an astonishing person today. He had the greatest smile and knew how to make you laugh. I know that I didn't raise him, but I never stopped loving. My parents did a great job with him. Douglas Kiker, you will be missed forever. As quoted by Variety.
At the beginning of season 18, Kiker had an unforgettable spotlight in his audition of 2020 'American Idol' and played a cover by Rascal Flatts' “blesce The Broken Road”, which impressed the judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who accompanied the candidate on piano. Katy Perry moved into tears after being audition, Variety reported.
“I want us to let them all know that they are a damn a man,” said Richie to Kiker. The candidate was known among his colleagues in Alabama as “The Singing Garbage Man”, with the nickname among the regular guests of the show.
Although Kiker was eliminated shortly afterwards, he performed in the final of the 18th season with a virtual performance in the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic.
