Luke Bryan Was ‘Really Affected’ by AMERICAN IDOL Runner-Up’s Death

Published: March 11, 2026

By Michaela Gordoni

AMERICAN IDOL Season 19 runner up Willie Spence died in 2022, and Luke Bryan says he was very “affected” by his death.

When asked if there’s anything Bryan would change about his tenure as a judge on IDOL, he said, “The first thing that popped in my mind is: I would have cherished more moments with Willie Spence.”

Spence died in a car crash at the age of 23. He had placed second in Season 19 to winner Chayce Beckham.

“That’s a biggie to me — losing him and knowing how much he touched me in that room, in that space, watching him perform week in and week out. It was truly breathtaking,” continued Bryan. “He was from Douglas, Georgia, which is an hour from my hometown.”

WALB reported Spence was a blessing to his Douglas community. He mentored students and sang at community and church events.

“That loss really affected me,” added Bryan. “From time to time, I’ll see a clip of him singing and it just breaks my heart for him and his family, and I just can only imagine what his career might have been.”

IDOL host Ryan Seacrest added that it’s hard to imagine things like this happening before they do.

Bryan said, “It’s like when you go back to your high school reunion and you realize some of your classmates aren’t here. Then you realize that considering the years you’ve been on the show, the sad reality is we are going to lose people.”

Seacrest added, “When you’ve got that kind of history and the legacy in this show and touched so many different lives and people, it’s never something that you ever think about when you start this, but it is inevitably part of life.”

When Spence passed, Bryan shared on Instagram that Spence was a joy to be around.

Katie Perry, who served as a judge on Season 19, said, “I love you Willie… purest soul. Sing with the angels my darling.”

Beckham said, “It’s hard to find the words to say here, other than I loved Willie very much. He was a good sweet soul, and a warm beam of light in a cold and dark world that needed him so much. When willie sang I swear it would shake a whole room. I think Willie had a voice that God gave him specifically to spread his message, when Willie sang gospel it could make you cry.”

Though all who knew Spence still feel his loss, they can be reassured knowing he is at peace in heaven.

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