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‘American Idol’ Alum Nikki McKibbin Dies at 42

The singer finished third on the show's inaugural season in 2002.

Photo by: Lee RothSTAR MAX, Inc. - copyright 2002ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDTelephone/Fax: (212) 995-11968/5/02Nikki McKibbin at the premiere of "XXX".(CA) (Star Max via AP Images)
Star Max via AP Images

“American Idol” alum Nikki McKibbin, who reached the final three on the show’s inaugural season in 2002, has died at the age of 42. Season one runner-up Justin Guarini broke the news on his Instagram on Oct. 31.

The Grand Prairie, Texas native famously finished third in the competition behind Guarini and winner Kelly Clarkson on the reality show’s storied first season on Fox. She had reached the finals after impressing judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson with performances of songs by Melissa Etheridge, Alanis Morissette, Bonnie Tyler, Janis Joplin and finally Alannah Myles with her rendition of “Black Velvet.”

According to a tweet by Redeye Radio host Gary McNamara, McKibbon suffered a brain aneurysm and was on life support until the late hours of Oct. 30.

“I witnessed my friend Nikki (McKibbin) Sadler go from a Karaoke bar to finalist on 1st year of American Idol. She is on life support after suffering an aneurysm,” he wrote on Twitter. “They will end life support tonight. Please pray for her husband Craig and family. I am heartbroken.”

McKibbin attracted the attention of Stevie Nicks herself, who sent words of support to the then 23-year old singer after watching her sing “Edge of Seventeen” on the show. Guarini remembered that moment fondly in his tribute.

“@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 ’20s when we were on American Idol together, I could tell that she’d had a challenging life, and not that many people had been kind to her along the way.”

He continued: “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…” 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. #rip #americanidol.”

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@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. ⁣ ⁣ 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…”. 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. #rip #americanidol

A post shared by Justin Guarini (@justinguarini) on

McKibbin began her reality show journey in 2001 competing on the WB competition “Popstars.” After her turn on “Idol, “she was signed to a deal through Sony Music’s RCA, but locked horns over her refusal to record a country album. She finally put out a rock album, “Unleashed,” in 2007.

Years after “Idol,” she appeared on the VH1 reality show “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” in 2008 seeking treatment for addiction to alcohol and cocaine. She subsequently appeared on the shows “Sober House,” “Fear Factor” and Bravo’s “Battle of the Network Reality Stars.”

She briefly returned to “Idol” in 2014 when her then 15-year old son, Tristan Langley, auditioned for the show in front of judges Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez. Langley had given his mom a rose on the “Idol” stage when he was just four years old.

Starting around 2016, McKibbin underwent a series of back surgeries.

Fellow “Idol” alums, producers and judges are remembering the singer on social media. Read their reactions below:

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