Former “American Idol” contestant Nikki McKibbin, who came in third on the first season of the show to Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, died on Sunday at the age of 42.
Sources close to McKibbin’s family told TMZ that she died of a brain aneurism. They added that she was rushed to the hospital, where she was placed on life support. At 3am on Sunday morning, McKibbin was pronounced dead in the operating room, and her organs were then harvested in order to help others.
McKibbin appeared on “American Idol” in the show’s first season back in 2002, when it became a monster hit. McKibbin became a household name overnight as she sailed all the way to the final three, and she is best remembered to this day for her cover of Alannah Myles’ song, “Black Velvet.”
In the wake of McKibbin’s passing, “American Idol released a statement paying tribute to her.
“Nikki McKibbin was an incredible talent and we are deeply saddened by the news of her passing,” the show said. ‘She was part of our American Idol family and will be truly missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Guarini, who came in second on season one of “American Idol,” paid tribute to McKibbin as well in an Instagram post.
“@realnikkimckibbin was a fiery, funny lady who could sing the Hell out of a rock song with the same kind of ease and command she lovingly used to cut you with her twangy Southern wit,” he wrote. “Even in our 20’s when we were on ‘American Idol’ together I could tell that she’d had a challenging life, and that not that many people had been kind to her along the way…”
“…but I’ll never forget the day that her idol, Stevie Nicks, sent her flowers with a card that said ‘You are the Gypsy that I was….,'” he added. “Nikki was on cloud nine and the joy and excitement that radiated from her was infectious. After the kind of emotional beating she took at the hands of the masses, she deserved to feel good about herself, even for a little while.”
“Rest well, ‘Gypsy’…and thank you for the laughter, merciless teasing, strength, vulnerability, love and friendship you showed me during our time together in the spotlight,” he concluded. “#rip#americanidol.”
After “American Idol, McKibbin appeared on “Fear Factor” and “Battle of the Network Reality Stars.” She also had issues with substance abuse, appearing on Dr. Drew’s “Celebrity Rehab” before moving to a sober living house, with her time there being chronicled on “Sober House.”
McKibbin had been married to her husband Craig Sadler since 2007, and she was surrounded by her family when she passed away.
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