American Idol contestant Doug Kiker, who brought the panel of celebrity judges to tears with his audition, has died aged 32.
Kiker, who was a garbage collector by day, caused Katy Perry in particular to cry with his rendition of Rascal Flatts’ Bless the Broken Road during his audition for season 18 of the show, which aired in 2020.
Doug Kiker was known as “The Singing Garbage Man” on American Idol. (YouTube/TalentRecap)Kiker’s sisters Angela Evans and Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez confirmed his death with posts to Facebook on March 12.
“Today I got the call that no one wants to get. We lost an amazing person today. He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh,” shared Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez.
“I know I didn’t raise him but I never stopped loving him. My parents did an amazing job with him. Douglas Kiker you will forever be missed. Fly high. Say hey to grandma.”
Evans said in her own post, “He was so loved and will be missed by so many! [You’re] singing with the [angels] now, Bubba. Please pray for our family as we go [through] this very difficult time.”
No cause of death was mentioned.
Known as “The Singing Garbage Man”, the Alabama native had no formal experience with singing and had to be coached by the judges throughout his audition.
Nevertheless, he blew them away with his talent, with judge Lionel Richie telling him, “For a man who has no idea what his voice can do, for a man who has no idea what key he’s singing in, for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be, he’s here to do one thing: He’s trying to show his daughter that he’s somebody.”
“I want us all to let you know you’re a hell of a man,” he said before gathering all the judges and telling Kiker, “I want you to come get this ticket. You’re going to Hollywood!”
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As Kiker left the room, Perry – who was reduced to tears and couldn’t speak much during Kiker’s audition – told him, “That was not garbage. It was greatness. You just stay who you are, and you’re going to go so far. And you’ll take your daughter to all the highest heights.”
Though Kiker got eliminated, he returned for the season finale, a virtual performance of the same song he auditioned with.
A few months later, he made headlines when he was arrested and charged on suspicion of domestic violence.
Per TMZ, Kiker is survived by two children whom he shares with his ex-fiancée.
