Cause of death: Struck by a hit-and-run driver at age 25 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Season 3 contestant Marque Lynche made it to the Top 32. Rest in peace Michael.". Fans will recall she competed on the inaugural season of the Fox reality show, coming in third behind Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, who took home top honors. Burdett did not answer the door, or phone. Goodspeed, who was born Sandra May McIntyre, died by suicide by a drug overdose. Abdul on Fan Suicide: 'Been a Very Tough Three Weeks for Me' She was found inside her car, which was parked near Abdul's home. She returned to the show to audition in Season 8, according to BBC, but the publication added that Cowell still deemed her audition "horrendous." It was his musical upbringing that contributed to his raw talent. In October 2014, Borgella died from a rare form of endometrial cancer, which spread to her brain. How much fun we all had on our very first tour. She sang Whitney Houston's "I Believe In You and Me" and left us all with goosebumps, including Randy Jackson who was gobsmacked by the Hungarian-born songstress' sultry vocals. She didn't go there for looks, she went there for vocals. The 30-year-old was discovered in a car alongside prescription drugs, CDs and pictures of pop star Abdul. He was wearing a seatbelt. The would-be veterinarian wailed Jefferson Airplanes Somebody to Love, much to the judges displeasure. When I heard from [Idol creator] Nigel [Lythgoe], Wait til you see this next girl! Paula Abdul hits out at American Idol producers for allowing 'stalker News, falling toFantasia Barrinowho was crowned the winner. "More than just the name.". Riley won his first competition during the battle rounds, then withdrew from the competition. Spence was 23 and was the runner-up in Season 19. She had overdosed on prescription pills, and her death was ruled a suicide. Paula Goodspeed, the former "American Idol" contestant who was found dead near Paula Abdul's home earlier this week, may have died from an "overdose," authorities have confirmed to Access Hollywood. A fatty liver, often caused by alcohol abuse, might have also played a part. Ive been drawing ever since I was a little kid and my first drawing was of Paula Abdul.. Although somewhat calmer, she got a thumbs down again with Cowell declaring her, horrendous.. American Idol 21 episode 15 recap: Top 12 perform on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night; who was eliminated? She said that Burdett died as a consequence of a deliberate self inflicted injury where her intentions at that time were unclear, with a background of drugs and toxicity. She went there to sing.". 'Talking about the producers in the way they have been portrayed [in the media] is unfair. America So She Could Breastfeed Privately, Michael J. An obsessed fan of American Idol and star Paula Abdul, Paula Goodspeed had her first name legally changed to that of her hero. Paula Goodspeed (July 4, 1978 - November 11, 2008) was an American reality TV show contestant and singer best known for her season 5 audition on American Idol.Goodspeed was known for being a fan of singer and American Idol judge Paula Abdul, so much so that she changed her first name to Paula at the age of 16 and modeled her singing career and appearance after her. Billy asked Paula if she felt any guilt surrounding Goodspeeds death. McAllister was a contestant only through the second week of her season on the ABC show. Abdul, 46, claimed last week she had been stalked by Goodspeed for 17 years and she had filed restraining orders against her in the past. However, she didnt get past the second Hollywood round even though she pleased the trio initially. His mother opened up to The Mirror and talked about how she had no idea her son was struggling. Because the truth of the matter is we brought them there. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Orange County Coroner's report said Johns died from an enlarged heart and a "fatty liver." Lynche, who also appeared on the All-New Mickey Mouse Club as a child actor, died from "acute and chronic alcoholism," according to officials. Thinking they had come from her restaurateur boyfriend J.T. Goodspeed killed herself by overdosing on drugs in her car outside Abdul's Sherman Oaks home in Nov. 2008. Woman Found Dead Near Paula Abdul's Home Was Former 'Idol' Contestant November 12, 2008 The woman who was found dead in a car parked near Paula Abdul's Sherman Oaks, Calif., home last night has been identified as Paula Goodspeed, 30, a former contestant on "American Idol's" Season 5. Goodspeeds 2006 audition was not Paulas first encounter with the stalker. Paula Goodspeed, 30, a Season 5 contender whose audition performance of Proud Mary was panned and mocked by the judges, appears to have died of a drug overdose, police say. The Bachelor cast member Gia Allmand died tragically in August 2013 at age 29 "following an apparent suicide attempt," a statement from her family read. [POLL]. When McIntyre visited California, her aunt showed her Abduls house, but not in a way that suggested she was a stalker. I love you both tremendously. Celebs Who Have Been Stalked | Entertainment Tonight Looking back, Paula said she wished Goodspeeds appearance on the show had gone better, especially with her fellow judge Simon Cowell. She was not suicidal, says her niece, Sonja McIntyre, 20, of Maine, who last spoke with her aunt about two months ago. ", Always In the Club, a Facebook page that shares updates about former Mouseketeers, posted a touching tribute to Lynche on their official page. Thats about it, says the niece. With so many amazing things happening in her career, we never would've expected her life to be cut short in January 2018 when she and her boyfriend, former professional basketball player Rasual Butler (pictured, left), were killed in a car accident in Studio City, Calif. After a lengthy, months-long investigation, TMZ reported Butler, who was behind the wheel, had "multiple substances in his system at the time of his fatal crash." "We are all heartbroken," the message stated. Now, theres access to follow me home and I [had] a really scary situation and its time for me to move. Paula Goodspeed Died: November 11, 2008 Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California. Mom Debbie Collier Mentioned Accident with Mystery Truck Driver Who Was 'Out on Parole', N.J. Woman Was Found Slain in Home and Days Later, 'Person of Interest' Boyfriend Is Found Dead by Suicide, 'American Idol' Judges Through the Years in Honor of the Show's 20th Anniversary, 2000: Ending a 15-year obsession, Brooke Shields stalker is arrested, 2005: Paula finally ends her battle with chronic pain. 1. However, there was some stiff competition that season, and Smith fell short to Ruben Studdard. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. You know, [she] had attempted to do that a few months prior, Paula continued. Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California. But after singing her rendition of Tina Turners Proud Mary, the woman was roundly panned by the shows judges. We genuinely didn't know.'. It is believed Goodspeed was an obsessed fan of the pop star. Shes really cool. In the episode featuring Goodspeed, Cowell said following her audition: 'I don't think any artist on earth could sing with that much metal in your mouth that's like a bridge. Tour our photo gallery below for a closer look at all of the American Idol deaths. She just liked the name Paula, she says. Peoplemagazine would later confirm Lynche died from "acute chronic alcoholism. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Goodspeeds mother had gone to [the sheriffs department] to report her daughter missing, and advised them that she might be suicidal, says Los Angeles police Capt. Simon Cowell has spoken of his 'regret' following the suicide of troubled American Idol contestant Paula Goodspeed. Dec. 8, 2008 — -- Paula Abdul spoke out today for the first time about the death of Paula Goodspeed, an "American Idol" hopeful turned stalker who was found dead from an apparent drug overdose in a car outside Abdul's Los Angeles home. That same year, Cohen's life tragically ended when she was struck by a car in Seaside Heights, N.J. MTV reported the autopsy results "showed that she had suffered chest, head and abdominal injuries." He sent the tracks to the singing coach, and that was the last time I worked with Paula, he says. PLAY IT NOW: Dish Of Salt: American Idol Stars Holiday Concert, Metropolitan Police Department (DC Police / MPD), Family Awaits Return of DC Mother Missing for More Than 3 Weeks, Man Shot Wife, Her Brother Before Shooting Himself: Police, Daughter of Buccaneers LB Shaq Barrett Drowns in Family Pool, 3 People Found Dead in Home in Springfield, Virginia; Toddler Found Alive, Why Fans Say Trips to Disney World Are Now Incredibly Complicated' to Pull Off. Abdul also had numerous orders of protection against Goodspeed, "but come American Idol, when anyone could audition, she showed up.". She had been a stalker from [awhile back.] Paula Goodspeed's suicide: Don't blame 'Idol,' even as we all Do not avoid these conversations. Rickey Smith, who appeared on American Idol Season 2, was killed by a drunk driver in Oklahoma City on May 5, 2016. Why is the Audition Process for American Idol So Confusing This Year? Simone Battle was apart of X Factor auditions in 2011. Its always a hard thing to see someone you look up to take their own life. We invited them there and then they show up at our house for a cocktail party and Simon goes, What the hell are you doing here? But the thing is, their talent does not warrant, you suck, because these are talented kids.. Please be sure to check in on friends and family members who might be struggling with mental health. During the recording process, Goodspeed struggled and broke down and cried several times, Faris says, and in the end they finished only one song and left two others incomplete. Iconic! Show history: McKibbin appeared on Season 1 of American Idol in 2002, where she ultimately placed third behind runner-up Justin Guarini and winner Kelly Clarkson. The two had lunch and that day, Abdul said, they collaborated on a song that became a No. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Gold Derby editors and Experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng debate the big category switch by Kieran Culkin (Succession), who is now competing for Best Drama Actor. Her death gained international attention, particularly after her family said she had a history of mental illness. Abdul said after the song that she was "speechless" and "that's not a great thing. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. All the while, he was recording the best music of his life.. 'My regret in all of this is that we didn't know how troubled this person was. When Rickey Smith appeared on Season 2 in 2003, he knocked our socks off as he channeled the Motown era. According to Goodspeed's mother, the victim was obsessed with Paula Abdul and told her she was going to visit Paula on Tuesday. 'These aren't bad people. Once she started singing, though, Faris immediately knew she wouldnt be taken seriously in the music industry. Its a different thing, she added. PEOPLE.com and the Peoples Choice Awards are counting your votes! Abdul said her life seems to be coming full circle. TMZ reports Smith was just 36-years-old. All Rights Reserved. Cause of death: Injuries suffered in a car crash in Studio City, California at age 31. Although Abdul says she never voluntarily met Goodspeed since the audition, Goodspeed told her niece that she had met Abdul about a year ago at Starbucks or something, she says and that Goodspeed was excited she got to meet such a big star.. Culkin, Strong, and ", 2023 Emmy Predictions: Limited/Movie Categories (Part 7), 2023 Emmy Predictions: Comedy Categories (Part 10). During her audition, she said that she often drew pictures of Abdul and been drawing them since she was young. Why a Paula Abdul fan died | The Week 11:12 EDT 18 Dec 2008. "I wasn't ready to accept the fact that I had to come back and give up music," he told USA Today in 2008. Daniel Bark was later apprehended in connection with the crime, according to the Ashbury Park Journal (via MTV). She was 31 years old. He tragically took his life on March 17, 2019. Cause of death: Died at age 35. Kovar later appeared on VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Paula Abdul Opens Up About Stalker's Suicide - NBC4 Washington Talent Recap is the only independent website that is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. Nonetheless, she landed in 12th place in the competition, according to E! Leah LaBelle finished 12th in American Idol Season 3. It is said that Goodspeed sent Abdul a bouquet of flowers before killing herself. American Idolshaped the careers of some of our favorite musicians, including Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, and Kelly Clarkson. James Miller told Access, adding that the coroner's office is still conducting their investigation. 'Heart and prayers' Everyone knew. The group was called Green Force Five. I was always around music growing up." While fans await the Jan. 13 premiere of the new "Idol" season, Abdul is excited for the Dec. 13 launch of her jewelry and accessories line called Forever Your Girl on the Home Shopping Network. I do this for my family. At the time, the 21-year old caretaker from Douglas, Georgia earned his spot on the ABCreality TVcompetition by singing Diamonds for judgesKaty Perry,Lionel RichieandLuke Bryan. "I've made peace with it, but it's still frustrating.". The ex-husband of Bravo'sReal Housewives of Beverly Hills starTaylor Armstrong, Russell Armstrong was discovered on Aug. 15, 2011, hanging from an orange extension cord tied to a wooden beam in the bedroom of his home onMullholland Drive. Gallery originally published February 2019. Her death was covered by such major outlets as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and Newsweek. One of the first American Idol contestants, Nikki McKibbin died from a brain aneurysm on Oct. 28, 2020, as reported by her husband, Craig Sadler, and their family. Because the truth of the matter is we brought them there. "It was devastating and tragic, and there aren't enough feelings that I can articulate without getting into a whole plethora of things," Abdul said in an exclusive interview today on "Good Morning America. The twice-divorced star was left "deeply shocked and saddened" when former American Idol contestant Paula Goodspeed was found dead in her own car outside of her house. Shain Gandee, the 21-year-old star of MTV's Buckwild was discovered dead, along with his uncle and one other person, in a car found in a remote area of Sissonville, West Virginia, on April 1, 2013. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. So when that happens, you're an open target to be followed home. American Idol 21 predictions: Iam Tongi is early front-runner to win, but who will be eliminated from Top 12? He was 32. Paula Abdul's life - chronic pain, death outside home, American Idol , updated Host, musical guest details. Corey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Cinema/Screen Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2021. The news left fans devastated, but many also looked back on the incredible voice he displayed on the show.