American Idol runner-up Willie Spence, 23, posts video of himself singing before dying in accident

American Idol finalist Willie Spence posted a heartbreaking video of him belting out a Christian song in a car moments before he died in a horror crash.

The 23-year-old shared now chilling footage of him singing ‘You Are My Hiding Place’ before he slammed into a parked semitruck in Tennessee yesterday.

The talent singer kept his eyes closed as he tilted his head back and blared out the emotional anthem from earlier in the day.

Moments later, Spence got into a car accident after allegedly fixing a flat on his way home to Georgia from Tennessee, according to TMZ.  

Katharine McPhee revealed Spence had passed in a tear-jerking Instagram post on her feed on Tuesday.

The singer, who performed with him during American Idol, said ‘life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised’.

Her post was followed by an influx of heartbroken celebrities paying tribute, including producer Randall Emmett who said, ‘I’ll miss you my friend’.

Willie Spence, 23, was driving in Tennessee when he died in a car crash moments after posting a video of himself singing on Instagram 

Spence appeared on Season 19 of American Idol and performed as one of the finalists on the season finale

The season 19 American Idol finalists performed alongside co-star Katharine McPhee. She confirmed Spence’s death on social media in a grieving post topped with photos of her former American Idol star

McPhee Posted a video of her and Spence while announcing his death

Spece sang his heart out one last time before plowing into a semi-truck. The details of the crash including where the incident occurred is unclear. 

Producer Emmett, who called Spence his friend, mourned the singer on Instagram following the news of his passing. 

‘My friend @williespenceofficial passed away today,’ Emmett wrote. ‘My heart is broken and my prayers go out to his family. I met Willie four ago after his amazing voice went viral on Youtube.’ 

‘I was lucky to have him sing for me live at my home and other events, I will miss you my friend. I know you touched so many of us. I’m heart broken. I will cherish our talks, Rest in Peace, god bless.’ 

Four-time Granny nominee Mickey Guyton also paid tribute to the fellow singer Wednesday morning with a simple tweet.

‘Dear God rip sweet Willie Spence,’ Guyton wrote.  

Film Director Randall Emmett, who called Spence his friend, also mourned the singer on Instagram

Fans were quick to head to Spence’s last post of him singing in the car to acknowledge his shocking death.

‘You shined down here, but now you’re shining even brighter up there,’ one fan wrote. ‘Such a beautiful soul.’ 

‘Singing to the angels now. Rest in Peace Willie,’ another added along with a heart and prayer hands. 

‘It’s crazy he posted this right before he got into the accident… you definitely sang your way to heaven king,’ one person wrote in disbelief.  

Some fans recalled the moments they ran into the American Idol star and were ‘blessed’ by his ‘humble’ presence. 

‘Thank you for every humble encounter you blessed me with,’ one fan wrote. ‘Always a joy to be around. Ever since the moment we met and sang together in my parking lot of all places. U are missed and we are here to comfort your mother and family. LITERALLY. Rest easy Willie.’ 

‘It’s crazy he posted this right before he got into the accident… you definitely sang your way to heaven king,’ one person wrote in disbelief.  

Some fans recalled the moments they ran into the American Idol star and were ‘blessed’ by his ‘humble’ presence. 

‘Thank you for every humble encounter you blessed me with,’ one fan wrote. ‘Always a joy to be around. Ever since the moment we met and sang together in my parking lot of all places. U are missed and we are here to comfort your mother and family. LITERALLY. Rest easy Willie.’ 

Fans were quick to remember Spence and recalled him as ‘humble’

He began his journey on the show in February 2021 and came in second behind singer Chayce Beckham in the finale 

The American Idol star who sang ‘Georgia on My Mind’ during the season 19 finale jumpstarted his career at the age of three when he began singing at his grandfather’s church in Florida, according to Spence’s biography on Eventbrite.

Spence later took his singing career to the next level on YouTube for his 591,000 subscribers that have followed his live performances since about four years ago. 

He began his journey on American Idol in February 2021 when he auditioned to the song ‘Diamonds’ by Rhianna. He came in second behind singer Chayce Beckham in the finale. 

Spence had planned to perform live in London on November 12 for an evening of praise and worship at Trinity Baptist Church. 

The American Idol legend was set to headline alongside special guest performances by The Voice UK stars Lois Moodie, Emmanuel Smith, Loxton Mitchell and Kieron Daniel. 

McPhee also commented on Spence’s previous post advertising the London event while mourning his short life. 

‘Sweet Willie… you deserved the stars and the moon,’ McPhee wrote. ‘I’m so sorry for the world to be robbed of more precious time with you. You were an absolute Angel, I know you are up there now with the rest of the angels. God rest your soul.’ 

Spence was also set to appear in London in 2023 for the ‘London Band Week’ alongside the SOS Warriors Marching Band from Florida. 

‘I will be singing the National Anthem with the band during the week long competition,’ Spence announced about two months ago while posting a photo with the marching band director Antoine Miller.

Spence leaves behind a series of singing videos on his Instagram page for fans to remember him by.