American Idol Season 18 contestant Doug Kiker, who became known as the “Singing Garbage Man” after his audition went viral, has reportedly passed away at the age of 32. A cause of death has yet to be determined.
American Idol Alum Doug Kiker Dies at 32
TMZ reports that Kiker died Monday, according to his ex-fiancée Valerie Cook, with whom he shared children. His death was also confirmed by his brother William and his mother Joyce. His sister Angela Evans posted a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses.
Evans called her brother’s death “completely unexpected,” adding that the family was “completely unprepared.” She explained that they “need a little help getting him home from Denver, Colorado, and being able to give the memorial that not only he but anyone deserves.”
Kiker auditioned for Season 18 of American Idol with a cover of “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. He told the judges that he didn’t have any musical experience other than singing on the back of the garbage truck on which he worked.
Judge Katy Perry was brought to tears by Kiker’s audition. After his elimination from the show, Kiker updated viewers to reveal that he had undergone dental work to improve his teeth.
Kiker was eliminated from American Idol during Hollywood Week, although he returned in the season finale to perform remotely with Rascal Flatts. In the time since his elimination, Kiker has been the subject of some controversy.
In May 2021, Kiker was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence (harassment), after police responded to a domestic violence call from an unidentified adult woman. Later that year, Kiker returned to social media to tease new music, without mentioning the arrest.
Before his death, Kiker was quiet on social media. In 2022, he starred as himself in a film called The Garbage Man, which told a fictionalized version of his journey on American Idol.
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Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
