I do this for my family. At the time, the 21-year old caretaker from Douglas, Georgia earned his spot on the ABCreality TVcompetition by singing Diamonds for judgesKaty Perry,Lionel RichieandLuke Bryan. She spends her spare time shooting astro, nature, and portrait photography, and coming up with movie ideas that she hopes to make into a film someday. "She lived with me and she was my roommate.". Cohen auditioned again in Season 8, attempting to sing Like a Prayer by Madonna. During that same audition, Cowell also said he saw a resemblance between Goodspeed and her idol Abdul. 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. 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. My address was announced and [it was shown] how you could get into my house.. 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. Click here to vote now! Paula Goodspeed Died: November 11, 2008 Cause of death: Suicide via drug overdose at age 30 in Sherman Oaks, California. Shed show up to my home studio wearing fluorescent pants and skirts, with trinkets hanging off her jacket. Our officers discovered her vehicle parked on the street, and found her inside. 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. That didnt happen. A post shared by Simone Battle (@simonebattle). Despite Abdul's claims, Cowell insisted he didn't remember her asking producers not to allow Goodspeed to audition. Kosewicz, whose boyfriend killed himself two months before her death, had complained on MySpace about how the show had adversely affected her life. Nicknamed "Glitter Girl" by fans, judge Simon Cowell was unimpressed with her performances of Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love" and Madonna's "Like a Prayer.". This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. The 30-year-old former American Idol contestant was found dead on Tuesday, apparently . We know youve seen the audition of this Paula Abdul super fan. (via People) that Goodspeed "had been writing disturbing letters for 17 years, almost 18 years." 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. At the time, Reuters reported that prescription pills, along with CDs and pictures of Abdul, were found in the car. 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. The victim's mother called 911 when her daughter didn't return home. She also won the first season of Mo'Nique's Fat Chance pageant in 2005. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Watch Access Hollywood Monday and Tuesday nights for more of Paulas interview, and check back here soon to read about Paulas relationship with new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. Iconic! Why is the Audition Process for American Idol So Confusing This Year? Whos your Favorite Star Under 35? 'The Masked Singer' spoilers: Who is Medusa? He went to the doctor before christmas because he was feeling tired and they never spotted any problems, she said. The victims were helicopter pilot David Gibbs, 59, along with Darren Rydstrom, 45, crew of the show, and Michael Donatelli, 45, a cast member. Show history: Smith tried out on Season 11 in 2012 at age 18 during auditions that were held in Colorado. 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. American Idol has faced several tragedies during its 21 seasons. But a relative of Goodspeed, who knew her well, disputes the characterization of her as a celebrity stalker. Please be sure to check in on friends and family members who might be struggling with mental health. that's who im the most concerned 4.". "It's the typical brother thing that we have. Everyone knew. 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. So when that happens, you're an open target to be followed home. When I heard from [Idol creator] Nigel [Lythgoe], Wait til you see this next girl! They literally laughed at her singing. Fans will recall she competed on the inaugural season of the Fox reality show, coming in third behind Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, who took home top honors. The Toronto, Ontario native had a brief recording deal in 2011 with L.A. Reid's Epic Records. Paula died in her car outside of Paula's home on November 11, 2008. Cause of death: Injuries suffered in a car crash in Studio City, California at age 31. You're like a white soul singer.". After singing Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody To Love" in Season 7, Simon Cowell said he didn't think "this competition" was "the route" for her, which prompted Cohen to leave the judging room and fly into a tirade. He was 36 years old. American Idol Contestants You May Not Know Died I do this for me, but not only for me, Spence said at his audition in San Diego. Murder, Suicide, Overdoses! 30 Reality TV Stars Who Suffered Tragic Deaths Paula Goodspeed (July 4, 1978 - November 11, 2008) was an American reality TV show contestant and singer best known for her season 5 audition on American Idol.Goodspeed was known for being a fan of singer and American Idol judge Paula Abdul, so much so that she changed her first name to Paula at the age of 16 and modeled her singing career and appearance after her. Her parents, who reported her missing the same day, had previously told sheriffs that they thought she would be at Abduls house. 'She would, literally, be first on the list as far as I'm concerned in any capacity. He was 34. Fan death made "Idol's" Cowell think "long and hard" | Reuters Her death was covered by such major outlets as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and Newsweek. It upset me a lot. And I made life-sized drawings of Paula. Season 3 contestant Marque Lynche made it to the Top 32. She suffered a brain aneurysm and was only 42. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Riley won his first competition during the battle rounds, then withdrew from the competition. When Rickey Smith appeared on Season 2 in 2003, he knocked our socks off as he channeled the Motown era. ", "I've got to tell you, luckily for me, I was at Hollywood week for 'American Idol' when it happened. Some of his cast mates included our favs, like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling. Mom Drove Wife and Kids Off Cliff, the 'Hart Family Murders' Remain Chilling, Katy Perry Breaks Down, Calls for Gun Control as School Shooting Survivor Auditions for 'American Idol', Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023. 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. Her. On Tuesday night, the body of the 30-year-old aspiring singer was found in a car near Abdul's home in Los Angeles, an apparent suicide victim from what police believe was a drug overdose. By Daniel S. Levine Tour our photo gallery below for a closer look at all of the American Idol deaths. We send our condolences to his loved ones.". Weve seen a lot of people. A DMV check of the license showed that the car was registered to Goodspeed. In the days following her death, her family hit out the Idol judges. Abdul, who lit up when Goodspeed said her name was Paula, said, Speechless, dont know what to say after hearing the song. She was found laying in bed with an incision in her neck, and drug toxicity in her veins. According to ABC News, the 30-year-old died from an apparent overdose in Nov. 2008. Shes really cool. Regardless of the manner in which these reality stars left us so soon, we'll cherish their memories as we look back at their time on the show with great fondness. A former American Idol contestant apparently infatuated with Paula Abdul was found dead Tuesday night in a car near Abduls Los Angeles house. 1. My address was announced and [it was shown] how you could get into my house.. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Cause of death: Harris was 31 years old when he died after suffering cariac arrest. American Idol Recap: Top 10 Revealed After Viewers Vote Live, The Reason Kim Kardashian Wants to Quit Reality TV, Ed Sheeran Appears in Court Over Thinking Out Loud Plagiarism Lawsuit. When asked today on "GMA" whether she thought the judging on the show should be "rethought," Abdul said, "I don't think Simon Cowell will rethink anything. She created portraits of Abdul, which were shown when she performed. "I said, 'I'm serious, I'll move you into my house,'" Abdul said. News. Goodspeed, who was born Sandra May McIntyre, died by suicide by a drug overdose. '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. She died in her car outside of Abduls home. 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. In a Facebook video, Borgella said it was an "unexpected"and "rare case" that had "spread to [her] chest." He sent the tracks to the singing coach, and that was the last time I worked with Paula, he says. All rights reserved. But what people don't realize, this was a serious, serious situation. Leah LaBelle was just 16-years-old when she auditioned for Season 3 ofAmerican Idol. [Im] living with security full time now, its just different. Over the last three years since Goodspeed was dismissed from her disastrous Idol audition with derisive comments from judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson Abdul has received more than 100 letters, numerous phone calls and uninvited visits from Goodspeed, the source says. The New Jersey native "made it to the top 24 before being eliminated," according to E! The Brooklyn native was 32 years old. 'American Idol' Contestants Who Have Tragically Died Over the Years Paula said the tragic event in November has made her home vulnerable to future disturbed fans. His confession was "deemed inadmissible," and because Bark wasn't read his rights at the time of the arrest, he was given a plea deal, was charged with driving drunk, and was sentenced to only 364 days in jail. In March 2013, shooting on Koh-Lanta, the Survivor of France, was cut short after contestant Gerald Babin, 25, died during the first day of filming. 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. Cohen was 25 at the time of her death. Deadline Media, Get our free, urgent prediction updates and news, American Society of Cinematographers Awards 2023, Emmy Noms Predictions Odds: All Star Users, Leaderboards: See All Past Prediction Accuracy Scores, Leaderboards: Best Prediction Accuracy Scores for Film, TV and Music Awards, Leaderboards: Best TV Show Predictions by Gold Derby Users, Find a User or Expert / Download Gold Derbys Free, New App, Watch our video interviews with top awards contenders: directors, producers, below-the-line artisans and , Watch our lively predictions slugfests with Experts and Editors, Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon (George and Tammy), Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus: Sicily), Vera Farmiga and Cherry Jones (Five Days at Memorial), 'American Idol' Top 20: Who gave the best performance? Sadly, in 2008, Goodspeed was found dead in her car outside Abdul's Sherman Oaks, California home. He's a man that marches to the beat of his own drum.".