Ive been drawing ever since I was a little kid and my first drawing was of Paula Abdul., VIEW THE PHOTOS: David Archuleta Comes To Access. 'The Masked Singer' spoilers: Who is Medusa? Her. 'Ill make a decision next year as to what I do as an onscreen judge because there is a big, big schedule now and I do two other shows, so its been hard. McIntyre confirms that Goodspeed changed her name from Sandra to Paula, but says she did it about 16 years ago and suggests the decision may not have had anything to do with Abdul. Hug's body was discovered off a remote highway in the Southern California desert. Paula Abdul's Cheerleading Bowl," in which she searches for the best cheerleading squad in the country. She even had Cowell as her mentor while on the show. 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. Thinking they had come from her restaurateur boyfriend J.T. A helicopter crash in February 2013 claimed the lives of three people involved the shooting of an "untitled military project" for Discovery Channel in Acton, Calif. Please be sure to check in on friends and family members who might be struggling with mental health. The death of Paula Goodspeed is a tragedy, said Gina Serpe and Jason Kennedy in E! It was a very tragic, unfortunate, [and] sad, Paula told Billy I was very blessed and lucky to have been at [work at Idols] Hollywood Week when it happened.. Goodspeed's 2005 audition is currently streaming on the Internet, and it's a typically depressing case of a troubled young woman bringing delusions of singing grandeur into the bright and . 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. Death 11 Nov 2008 (aged 30) Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles County, California, USA . I feel awful and don't know how to cope. All rights reserved. The media outlet reports Abdul wasn't at home. Corey Cesare is Talent Recap's Managing Editor and featured YouTube Host. So the last few years have been a little tough.'. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Along with Joseph Cerniglia, 41-year-old Rachel Brown was a reality contestant who faced the tough criticism of Gordon Ramsay Brown on Fox's Hell's Kitchen before taking her life with a self-inflicted gunshot in 2007. It. He's a man that marches to the beat of his own drum.". Why is the Audition Process for American Idol So Confusing This Year? In the semi-finals, he performed Shelter and earned a coveted wild card spot. Goodspeeds performance on the show and her fawning over Abdul she took sketches she did of the singer to her audition brought her notoriety in the press . Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California. Joanne Borgella, from Season 7, died in October 2014 at age 32 after a rare form of endometrial cancer spread to her brain, according to Pop Culture. 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. Abdul said her life seems to be coming full circle. [UPDATING LIVE BLOG], Is 'SNL' new tonight (April 29, 2023)? Even the judges were blown away, including Paula Abdul who fell in love with Borgella's voice and her "stunning" appearance. Sea captain Phil Harris, the star of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, died in Feb. 2010 at age 53, after suffering a massive stroke while unloading a haul ofcrab in Alaska. I'm sure you're in heaven singing you're heart out!!!". The 30-year-old was discovered in a car alongside prescription drugs, CDs and pictures of pop star Abdul. She was coming back to Maine where Goodspeed grew up. He would say, 'The uncanny resemblance between the two of you,' and just egg it on and egg it on. After eight days the landlord returned and found her dead. Cause of death: Died at age 35. Copyright 2023 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. That's like a bridge.". Mental health awareness is so important. 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. Billy asked Paula if she felt any guilt surrounding Goodspeeds death. The would-be veterinarian wailed Jefferson Airplanes Somebody to Love, much to the judges displeasure. Johns left behind a wife, Stacey, whom he married in 2007, and a legion of fans and admirers, includingCowell, whotweeted,"A truly great guy. Maybe his career didn't flourish the way he expected, but to us, he'll always be a star. "Nothing personal against Gordon Ramsay, but he is a poor inspiration for professional chefs in his shows," celebrity chef Eric Ripert wrote on his Twitter account after reading the news. Show history: The warm and ingratiating Smith, who had worked as a school teacher, competed on Season 2 in 2003. Thats about it, says the niece. Mark Balelo, a 40-year-old auctioneer featured on A&E's Storage Wars, died Feb. 2013, the victim of what the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office said was "asphyxiation from carbon monoxide and exhaust fumes." Cause of death: He was killed at age 36 after a drunk driver going the wrong way crashed into his car when he was returning to his home in Oklahoma City. American Idol has faced several tragedies during its 21 seasons. It was tumultuous, for me.. I really like Paula Abdul a lot. Second best episode of the season. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. 'How did she get through the metal detector? During her audition, she said that she often drew pictures of Abdul and been drawing them since she was young. Cause of death was found to be cardiac arrest. She went there to sing.". Also, PEOPLE has learned, Goodspeed had changed her first name from Sandra to Paula. 'My regret in all of this is that we didn't know how troubled this person was. He went into a coma and was taken a hospital where he died three days later. Weve seen a lot of people. According to Paula, this was not the first time Goodspeed had come to Paulas house to attempt to end her life. This has been ruled an apparent suicide, said LAPD officer April Harding. On Jan. 31, 2018, LaBelle and her boyfriend, basketball player Rasual Butler, were killed in a car crash in Studio City, California. Goodspeeds Idol audition was prominently featured by the show, and in her interview with host Ryan Seacrest, she clearly expressed her affection for Abdul. A lover of the great outdoors who lived in Orem, Utah, at the time told host Ryan Seacrest, Its where I feel most at peace you could say, I guess. Judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson appreciated her folksy laidback acapella version of the Rufus and Chaka Khan R&B classic Tell Me Something Good as well as her flower-girl vibe. Because the truth of the matter is we brought them there. However, she didnt get past the second Hollywood round even though she pleased the trio initially. Sadly, in 2008, Goodspeed was found dead in her car outside Abdul's Sherman Oaks, California home. "We know her spirit still shines and will continue to live on in heaven. Goodspeed killed herself by overdosing on drugs in her car outside Abdul's Sherman Oaks home in Nov. 2008. Im like, a really big fan. Copyright 2023 PopCulture.com. He tragically took his life on March 17, 2019. Country star Mindy McCready appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2009, in which her struggles with addiction were documented. A woman who authorities said once tried to become a contestant on "American Idol" was found dead outside the Sherman Oaks home of "Idol" judge Paula Abdul in a case police are investigating as a. Ryan Jenkins had just completed filming on Megan Wants a Millionaire, a VH1 reality show starring former Rock of Love contestant Megan Hauserman, when he met Jasmine Fiore, a swimsuit model, at a Las Vegas casino in March 2009. Advertisement. [Im] living with security full time now, its just different. Spence was 23 and was the runner-up in Season 19. McAllister was a contestant only through the second week of her season on the ABC show. Police said that prescription pills, along with CDs and pictures of Abdul were found in the car. Her parents, who reported her missing the same day, had previously told sheriffs that they thought she would be at Abduls house. She was a bit delusional thinking she could make a career out of this, but she was so incredibly determined, so [the singing coach] and I tried to encourage her, he says. This left his family and staff on the show devastated. She left the judges speechless with her original song. Life would take a turn for the talented artist soon thereafter, and it hit us hard when it was announced that he had died on Dec. 6, 2015 at the age of 34. "I think back on all the fun times we had. You know, [she] had attempted to do that a few months prior, Paula continued. I was shaking," Abdul said. Paula Abdul has spoken out for the first time about the death of Paula Goodspeed, inset, an "American Idol" hopeful turned alleged stalker, who was found dead from a drug overdose in a car outside . I do this for me, but not only for me, Spence said at his audition in San Diego. Everything to Know About American Idol Top 12 Artist Nutsa Buzaladze, Former AGT Host, TV Icon Jerry Springer Dead at 79, Everything to Know About American Idol Top 12 Artist Lucy Love. All the while, he was recording the best music of his life.. She was excited, says McIntyre. Click here to vote now! This is why the celebrity world takes a major hit when reality show contestants pass away way too soon. Cohen auditioned again in Season 8, attempting to sing Like a Prayer by Madonna. His body was discovered in a car parked in a garage at his Simi Valley auction house, days after he was arrested on charges of methamphetamine possession. Corey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Cinema/Screen Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2021. Simon Cowell commented about how he had wished he wouldve helped her during her Idol time in an interview in 2008. Authorities easily recognized her since she was notorious for stalking Abdul. The media outlet reports Abdul wasn't at home when Goodspeed's body was found. He began a music career in Los Angeles, but moved back to Oklahoma when that did not pan out. You two are the best parents," Hug wrote in a suicide note read aloud at his funeral. The death was featured on the series, followed by a special tribute episode. Im like, a really big fan. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. She was not just a name and number, with a risk assessment, she was cared for by her family and mental health professionals.. But I dont believe my aunt killed herself., Ed Faris, a producer/songwriter in Los Angeles, worked with Goodspeed on her fledgling singing career around 2005 or 2006, and remembered her as a bit off the wall., I was hired by her singing coach to help Paula record some songs, he says. She had been a stalker from [awhile back.] He finished in eighth place and took part in the American Idol Live! "My life is full of ironies and metaphors," Abdul told "GMA. During the last few weeks of his life, he was going between friends homes, rehab facilities, psychiatric wards, and hotels. There was no suspicious circumstances. Cause of death: Injuries suffered in a car crash in Studio City, California at age 31. My address was announced and [it was shown] how you could get into my house.. Show history: The Jasper, Alabama native competed on American Idol Season 13 in 20014. Tour our photo gallery below for a closer look at all of the American Idol deaths. [UPDATING LIVE BLOG], Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Winners List: All 22 Champs in Chronological Order [PHOTOS], Emmy spotlight: Yellowjackets costume designer Amy Parris deserves first nomination for that gnarly winter gear. Michael Johns was an Australian singer who started a career in Atlanta before he appeared on Idol Season 7 in 2008. Mexican-American singer JenniRivera had been involved in several Spanish-language reality shows, and was starring in I Love Jenni on Mun2 when she was killed in a private plane crash that took the lives of seven people after it took off from Monterrey, Mexico, in Dec. 2012. I can't even imagine if I was right there in my home. He was survived by his wife, who he wed in 2007. Two days later, on Aug. 1, 2014, he passed away at the age of 35. Cause of death: When she was 42 years old, McKibbin suffered an aneurysm. Alexis Cohen was featured in the auditions episodes of Seasons 7 and 8. But she had limited success with her record sales. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Show history: Cohen, who auditioned twice, told the camera when she tried out for Season 7, I march to the beat of a different drummer. That was an understatement. [But] when I saw the clips back on the news I remembered it.'. Goodspeed didn't make it past the audition phase, but she returned in Season 6 to try out again. At first the cause of death was thought to be an accidental drug overdose, but the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office later ruled that Haim's death was due to pneumonia. [POLL RESULTS], 'American Idol 21' episode 15 recap: Top 12 perform on 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night'; who was eliminated? After his time on the show came to an end, Smith remained in Los Angeles to kickstart his career, according toUs Weekly. American Idol - Alexis Cohen Video player from: YouTube (. James Miller. Now she's a judge on the popular show "American Idol.". Talent Recap is the only independent website that is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. When the show made Abdul aware of a contestant who was "crazy about" her, she objected. She had been a stalker from [awhile back.] 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. Shes really cool. (via People) that Goodspeed "had been writing disturbing letters for 17 years, almost 18 years." I dont know why he did it, he didnt leave a note. Abdul said after the song that she was "speechless" and "that's not a great thing. She was 31 years old. Instead of singing beneath bright lights in large stadiums, part of Smith's job at Coach's Bricktown, a local sports bar, was to sing "Happy Birthday" to customers. Paula Abdul says contestant suicide "tragic," but judges won't ease criticism. Show history: Born Sandra May McIntyre, she didn't make it past the. He was the lead contender on The Voice in season eight. If life's not enjoyable, why stick around?". Peoplemagazine would later confirm Lynche died from "acute chronic alcoholism. At the time, Reuters reported that prescription pills, along with CDs and pictures of Abdul, were found in the car. He released the album Hold Back My Heart and an EP entitled, Love and Sex. "If somebody has a deadly disease that requires chronic treatment [and] are not, everyday, involved in that treatment, their life is in danger today," Dr. Drew Pinsky told ET. His set list included I Was Here (Showstopper), Wind Beneath My Wings (Top 24), The Prayer (Top 24), Set Fire to the Rain (Top 16), Diamonds (Top 16), Stand Up (Top 12), Circle of Life (Top 10), Yellow (Top 7), You Are So Beautiful (Top 7), Glory (Top 4), What Theyll Say Bout Us (Top 4), Georgia On My Mind (Finale) and A Change is Gonna Come (Finale). If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. He tried to pursue a music career in L.A. but instead moved back home. The Australian native grew up interested in theater, choir singing and sports including tennis and Australian rules football. She was 21. Show history: Born Sandra May McIntyre, she didnt make it past the Season 5 auditions. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. He was only 23. Her most well-known performance may be her rendition of Alannah Myles' song "Black Velvet.". Its a wonderful night for Oscar, whenever you watch! When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. Goodspeed, an obsessed fan of fellow Idol judge Paula Abdul, committed suicide in her car outside the Eighties singer's Los Angeles home last month. Your email address will not be published. Burdett did not answer the door, or phone. 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.. He went to the doctor before christmas because he was feeling tired and they never spotted any problems, she said. Before Spence's death, the most recent Idol contestant who passed away was Nikki McKibbin. She died in her car outside of Abduls home. Her death gained international attention, particularly after her family said she had a history of mental illness. He was 34. He was wearing a seatbelt. A singing competition where participants compete to impress the American public and judges - Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to win a recording contract. "I said, 'This girl is a stalker of mine. But a coroners report ultimately ruled that the cause was a heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy. Do not avoid these conversations. She was 42. ", Always In the Club, a Facebook page that shares updates about former Mouseketeers, posted a touching tribute to Lynche on their official page. This just goes to show that even people who might seem like they have it all, dont feel like they do. He confessed to drinking "about six beers" and driving drunk, but his lawyer believed he had been "coerced into confessing," theNY Daily News reported. My address was announced and [it was shown] how you could get into my house.. You know, [she] had attempted to do that a few months prior, Paula continued. Paula, originally, Sandra Goodspeed was found dead in her car, parked close to Abdul's house in what appeared to be a case of suicide. She died in her car, parked outside Abdul's home in Sherman Oaks, California. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Plus, a relative disputes the stalker label, and a producer recalls the Idol hopeful's determination, Last week, Paula Abdul got flowers with a note signed, Love, J.T. and the message, Hope youre doing great. Simone Battle was apart of X Factor auditions in 2011. And I made life-sized drawings of Paula. Burruss, a successful songwriter and producer behind hits like TLC's "No Scrubs" and Pink's "Can't Take Me Home," tweeted at the time, " I could never n a million years imagine this happening. Michael Johns appeared on American Idol in 2008, and fans can still recall when the Australian-born crooner serenaded the crowd with his amazing performance of Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long." The Bachelor season 14 contestant Lex McAllister, pictured at the far right, died at the age of 31 on Feb. 16 of an apparent overdose on prescription pills. The former model, who appeared both on Jake Pavelka's season and then on two seasons of Bachelor Pad, was dating NBA Pelicans player Ryan Anderson, who held vigil by her bedside where she lay on life support. Simon is critical to the show in representing how hard it is to make it in the business, but there is a fine line with constructive criticism, and thats what we always battle about, Paula said. 'These aren't bad people. She just liked the name Paula, she says. Shed give the shirt off her back for anyone who needed it. "It appears it's an overdose," LAPD Capt. "Simon is a big fat bad word," she says, before flipping the camera the bird. As previously reported by AccessHollywood.com, Goodspeed was found dead shortly after 6 PM on November 11, after the Los Angeles Police Department received a tip from a neighboring agency. On November 11, 2008 she was found dead of an apparent drug overdose outside of Paula Abduls house, with CDs and pictures of Abdul that were found in the car. Emily Sheridan Abdul also had numerous orders of protection against Goodspeed, "but come American Idol, when anyone could audition, she showed up.". Toxicology results showed he tested positive for marijuana, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and an "empty box of Don Julio tequila was recovered at the crash scene. Billy asked Paula if she felt any guilt surrounding Goodspeeds death. PLAY IT NOW: Idols Ryan Seacrest & David Archuleta Reunited! Smith performed a folk version of Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good" that impressed the judges. Johns toldBillboard in 2008, "My brother and sister both play piano and sing. The substance-abuse-related deaths of police brutality victimRodney King, Grease actor Jeff Conaway and Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr shined a spotlight on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, a reality show which so far has had five fatalities among its troubled cast members, including Joey Kovar and Mindy McCready. A manhunt for Jenkins followed, and shortly after his body was found hanging by a belt in the Thunderbird Motel in Hope, British Columbia. We genuinely didn't know.'. She also discussed how she felt her son was hopeless, and lost. When I heard from [Idol creator] Nigel [Lythgoe], Wait til you see this next girl! "I said, 'I'm serious, I'll move you into my house,'" Abdul said. The VH1 reality star died in the early morning of Feb. 18 after reports she was clinging to life on the night before. Paula Goodspeed, 30, died last November after overdosing on Prozac and two other drugs, including one prescribed to treat schizophrenia. ", 'Everyone knew, I mean I was shaking and they thought this (would be) for entertainment value.'. Everyone knew. So, basically, Lynche was already well-known when he auditioned for the FOX singing competition. Its just shocked everyone because to other people Jack had it all. 11:12 EDT 18 Dec 2008. Looking back, Paula said she wished Goodspeeds appearance on the show had gone better, especially with her fellow judge Simon Cowell. The victims were helicopter pilot David Gibbs, 59, along with Darren Rydstrom, 45, crew of the show, and Michael Donatelli, 45, a cast member. On Nov. 12, 2008, Goodspeed parked her car a few doors down from Abdul's Los Angeles home and, according to Los Angeles police, died from an apparent overdose. The cause of Goodspeed's death will not be determined until the results of toxicology tests come back, Winter added. Paula said the tragic event in November has made her home vulnerable to future disturbed fans. A DMV check of the license showed that the car was registered to Goodspeed. During the all-important live shows, he took on Radio (Top 13), Waiting on the World to Change (Top 12), Cant You See (Top 11), Invisible (Top 10), If It Hadnt Been for Love (Top 9), Soulshine and Alright (Top 8 Part 1), Free Fallin' and I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Top 8 Part 2) and Gravity (Top 7). She was obsessed with then-judge Paula Abdul, even legally changing her first name from Sandra to Paula. Always In Our Hearts.". Friends and family of the reality star believed that she intended to end her life. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Abdul and Cowell were filming the new series of American Idol with fellow judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi when she was informed of Goodspeed's suicide in her car on November 11th. In 2008, Paula was 'shocked and saddened' by Paula Goodspeed's death outside her home (Image: Getty Images) Paula's LA home became the centre of a suspicious death in November 2008. [UPDATING LIVE BLOG], I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Winners List: All 22 Champs in Chronological Order [PHOTOS], Emmy spotlight: 'Yellowjackets' costume designer Amy Parris deserves first nomination for that gnarly winter gear, Box office: Super Mario Bros. approaches $500 million and enters all-time Top 20, American Idol Top 12: Who gave the best performance on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night? Paula said the tragic event in November has made her home vulnerable to future disturbed fans. Raiola had been a main character on the VH1 show since 2012. His audition song was Brian McKnights One Last Cry and finished in eighth place. "The Bachelor's" Gia Allemand is just the latest fatality. Despite Abdul's claims, Cowell insisted he didn't remember her asking producers not to allow Goodspeed to audition. Stalker: Paula Goodspeed - Former "American Idol" contestant who pronounced her love for the "X-Factor" judge at a 2006 audition - Reportedly died from an apparent suicide outside Abdul's home. Please do not let her in.' It is believed Goodspeed was an obsessed fan of the pop star. That didnt happen. However, the producers did not oblige. We know youve seen the audition of this Paula Abdul super fan. In a new interview with Access Hollywoods Billy Bush, Paula Abdul says she is still deeply affected by the death of Paula Goodspeed, the former American Idol contestant who committed suicide near Abduls home in November. Copyright 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The body of 30-year-old Paula Goodspeed, . Click here to vote now! Paula Goodspeed, the "American Idol" contestant who was an obsessive fan of Paula Abdul, was found dead in her car near the TV judge's home in an apparent suicide by overdose . PEOPLE.com and the Peoples Choice Awards are counting your votes! They also discuss Jesse Plemons (Love and Death) and Schmigadoon comedy categories. With online users feeling closer to her than every during her health journey, they were hit hard when the 32-year-old died of endometrial cancer on October 18, 2014. Paulas Sherman Oaks home is currently listed for sale, and Paula says she was glad not to be at home the day the heartbreaking event occurred. Gabriel Ben-Meir, a 30-year-old music coordinator for MTV who worked on Punk'dand other shows for the network, was shot to death outside his home in L.A.'s mid-Wilshire district in May 2011. ", Abdul said DioGuardi approached her 10 years ago outside of a diner and asked "Are you Paula Abdul?". Who was eliminated? Abdul was at the studio at the time the body was found and wasnt aware of it until she was told by the network, her rep says. I didnt do anything, she said of the suspected suicide. Now, theres access to follow me home and I [had] a really scary situation and its time for me to move. The motive, according to authorities: robbery. Goodspeed was known in the LAPD's threat management system for stalking Abdul, so the police force knew exactly where to look for her. All Rights Reserved. went on to tour with Meghan Trainor in 2015. Johns was 35 years old. By Daniel S. Levine She was kept on life support until her organs could be harvested. News. 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." Goodspeed's death reignited the debate over whether the judging on "American Idol" can be too harsh. 1. 'Heart and prayers' On Nov. 12, 2008, Goodspeed parked her car a few doors down from Abdul's Los Angeles home and, according to Los Angeles police, died from an apparent overdose. tour after the season. By 2023 Tony Awards slugfest: Final predictions for play nominations [WATCH], 2023 Tony Awards slugfest: Final predictions for musical nominations [WATCH], "I watched the first three episodes and my opinion is the same as", David. You're like a white soul singer.". She placed 12thafter singing The Supremes You Keep Me Hangin On.. She returned to the show to audition in Season 8, according to BBC, but the publication added that Cowell still deemed her audition "horrendous." And now, the Idol judge claims that it was not the first time the troubled woman had attempted to take her own life near Paulas home. And the thing is, that all she could do was get a hold of me through my fan club.. According to reports, prescription pills, CDs, and pictures of the singer were found littered in Goodspeed's car. Her parents, who reported her missing the same day, had previously told sheriffs that they thought she would be at Abduls house. In the days following her death, her family hit out the Idol judges. Cause of death: Spence died at age 23 following a car accident in Tennessee.