Spence died in a car accident in 2022 at the age of 23.

Luke Bryan reflects on *American Idol *runner-up Willie Spence’s death: ‘I would have cherished more moments’

Spence died in a car accident in 2022 at the age of 23.

By Sharareh Drury

March 9, 2026 3:58 p.m. ET

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Luke Bryan; Willie Spence on 'American Idol'. Credit:

Luke Bryan is opening up about one *American Idol** *contestant who affected him deeply.

During an interview with *Billboard* alongside *Idol* host Ryan Seacrest and his fellow judges Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, the quartet were asked if they could truly travel back in time, what is one thing during their entire experience on *American Idol *that they would change.

"The first thing that popped in my mind is: I would have cherished more moments with Willie Spence," Bryan said, mentioning the season 19 runner-up who died in 2022.

"That’s a biggie to me —losing him and knowing how much he touched me in that room, in that space, watching him perform week in and week out. It was truly breathtaking," Bryan added.**

Willie Spence performing on 'American Idol'.

Christopher Willard/ABC

Spence, who awed both the judges and America with his renditions of "The Circle of Life" and "Georgia on My Mind," died in a car accident in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 11, 2022. He was 23.

"He was from Douglas, Georgia, which is an hour from my hometown. That loss really affected me," Bryan continued. "From time to time, I’ll see a clip of him singing and it just breaks my heart for him and his family, and I just can only imagine what his career might have been."

Seacrest also touched on the loss of Spence. "You don't think those things are ever going to happen," he noted.

"It’s like when you go back to your high school reunion and you realize some of your classmates aren’t here," Bryan said. "Then you realize that, considering the years you’ve been on the show, the sad reality is we are going to lose people."**

Willie Spence on 'American Idol'.

Eric McCandless/ABC

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"We are devastated about the passing of our beloved* American Idol *family member Willie Spence," read a statement on the series' Instagram page following the news of his death. "He was a true talent who lit up every room he entered and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones."

Bryan also remembered the singer in his Instagram Story at the time. "Willie really did light up every room he walked into," he wrote. "He could change the mood instantly when he started singing. He will be truly missed."**

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