(NEXSTAR) – Douglas Kiker, the garbage collector who touched hearts with his singing voice on “American Idol” has died, his family announced on social media.
His sister, Angela Evans, announced Kiker’s death in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Another family member, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez, remembered him as an “amazing person.”
“He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh,” she wrote.
He was 32 years old, NBC News reports.
When he auditioned for the 18th season of “American Idol” in 2019, Kiker told judges he was a garbage man whose only performing experience was singing on the back of a garbage truck.
Before he was allowed to sing a note, judge Lionel Richie told Kiker to go “warm up” outside. Host Ryan Seacrest walked with Kiker through the streets of Savannah, Georgia, where the audition was being held, and encouraged Kiker to sing in front of a small crowd.
When he walked back into the audition room, Kiker was then able to tell the judges he had “some experience” performing.
Luke Bryan, another judge on the panel alongside Richie and Katy Perry, jumped over to the piano to play while Kiker sang. That gave the garbage man another first: singing with a musical accompaniment.
“I don’t know how to go along with that. I could try though,” Kiker said.
What followed was his rendition of Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road,” which moved Perry to tears and inspired all the judges to advance him to the next round of competition.
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Doug Kiker auditions in Season 18 of “American Idol.” (Eliza Morse/ABC via Getty Images) -
Doug Kiker auditions in Season 18 of “American Idol.”(Eliza Morse/ABC via Getty Images)
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Doug Kiker auditions in Season 18 of “American Idol.”(Eliza Morse/ABC via Getty Images)
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AMERICAN IDOL – “306 (Hollywood Week)” – Following Sunday’s final round of auditions to find its next superstar, “American Idol” immediately heads to Hollywood to kick off the iconic “Hollywood Week” with all-new twists, MONDAY, MARCH 16 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
DOUG KIKER
While Kiker didn’t make it far in the competition – he was eliminated before the contestants were narrowed down into the top 40 of the “showcase round” – he returned for the season’s final episode, singing “Bless the Broken Road” with Rascal Flatts.
A representative of ABC and “American Idol” did not immediately respond to Nexstar’s request for comment. The show is currently airing its 23rd season.
