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'American Idol' contestant Nikki McKibbin dies at 42

Posted at 7:41 PM, Nov 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-01 21:41:21-05

Nikki McKibbin, a singer from Texas best known for her third-place finish in the first season of American Idol, has died.

She was 42. McKibbin’s husband, Craig Sadler, confirmed her death in a Facebook post, saying that she had died after suffering a brain aneurysm on Wednesday and was taken off life support early Sunday.

McKibbin appeared on ‘American Idol' in 2002, finishing behind Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, who won the competition.

A 23-year-old from Grand Prairie, Texas, McKibbin impressed the judges with soulful performances of songs by Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks and others.

In a statement, the show called her an ‘incredible talent' and said McKibbin was ‘part of our American Idol family and will be truly missed.