‘American Idol’ Alum Dies At 31, CJ Harris cause of death

CJ Harris cause of death: The Walker County Coroner’s office confirmed to USA TODAY that C.J. Harris, a former “American Idol” contestant who finished sixth overall in Season 13, passed away on Sunday at the age of 31 after experiencing a medical emergency.

The news was first reported by TMZ, which was informed by a family member that Harris had suffered a heart attack. No cause of death has been officially disclosed.

Keith Urban, the judge at the time, praised Harris’ rendition of “Soul Shine” by the Allman Brothers in 2014 and stated, “You sing because you have to sing, not because you want to sing. And I mean that in every way possible.

Because of this, it feels so genuine. Before placing sixth, Harris performed songs such as “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty, “Waiting for the World to Change,” and “Radio” by John Mayer. In 2019, he released his debut single, “In Love.”

In a 2014 interview with AL.com, the Alabama native discussed the influence of his “Idol” experience. “I was raised in the church, where I sang in the choir and played the piano. I suppose I was nervous about appearing on “Idol” because I wasn’t sure if I was prepared.

Harris claimed at the time, “I lacked the training.”

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It is irrelevant whether I have my eyes open or closed when I take the stage in front of these masses. I have no obligation to maintain a camera view.

I am able to relax, decompress, and be myself. I’ve yearned to see those stage lights since I was a child. When I go to bed shortly after a performance, I find it difficult to believe that I have just been on stage. Compared to the television show, I’m having significantly more fun now.

According to reports by ABC News and NBC News citing a Tennessee Highway Patrol report, Willie Spence, a 23-year-old “American Idol” alumnus, died after colliding with the stopped trailer of a tractor-trailer on a highway shoulder. In Season 19, he finished second.

Nikki McKibbin, who placed third on the first season of “American Idol” behind Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarino, died in November 2020 at the age of 42.