We have very sad news to report from the world of reality television: Haley Smith, a former American Idol hopeful who advanced to Hollywood back in 2012, was killed this past Saturday morning in Maine after she was involved in a one-vehicle motorcycle crash. The singer was 27 years old. According to authorities, per TMZ, the fatal accident took place in the town of Millinocket. The police say that Smith seemingly failed to make a sharp turn along a residential road that turned into a highway in certain sections. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith’s father, Mike, told the aforementioned outlet that his daughter was riding on this country road and her family believes a deer could have caused the crash. Mike also implied Haley was a strong motorcycle driver and doubted that she simply lost control of her bike, for whatever that is worth. It has also been confirmed that the crash occurred around 2 a.m. As for her stint on American Idol? Smith auditioned for the competition in Colorado. She only advanced to the second Hollywood round, yet impressed judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler with her folksy version of Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good.” The Aerosmith frontman said at the time it was an honor to hear Smith sing, adding that she was out of his “era” with her look and sound. “I love your voice so much. You’re right out of my era and I’m honored to be hear listening to your voice,” he said to be exact. You can take a look below at a clip of Smith from her time on the beloved show: Haley Smith on American Idol Smith was only 18 years old when she appeared on Idol. The show, as you very likely know if you’re reading this, was canceled after 15 season on Fox in 2015. It has since been revived by ABC — with judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan starring on the program opposite longtime host Ryan Seacrest. The singing competition is heading into its 18th season (its third on ABC) and is scheduled to premiere in 2020. Smith is one of a handful of former American Idol contestants to have passed away since appearing on the series. Paula Goodspeed was the first death to hit close to American Idol when the Season 5 hopeful died from an apparent drug overdose in 2008. In July 2009, Alexis Cohen was killed by a hit-and-run driver in New Jersey. In August 2014, Season 7 finalist Michael Johns passed away due to complications of an undiagnosed heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. A few months later, fellow Season 7 competitor Joanne Borgella died from cancer. Then, in May 5, 2016, 36-year-old American Idol Season 2 finalist Rickey Smith was killed by a drunk driver. May Haley Smith rest in peace. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2019: In Memoriam
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Haley Smith, Former American Idol Contestant, Dies in Motorcycle Crash
