Luke Bryan reflects on Willie Spence's death: 'It just breaks my heart'

Luke Bryan is still heartbroken over “American Idol” alum Willie Spence’s death more than three years later. The “Play It Again” singer reflected on Spence’s passing in October 2022 at the age of 23 during an interview with Billboard published Friday. “The first thing that popped in my mind is: I would have cherished more moments with Willie Spence,” Bryan, 49, said when asked what he would change about his nine-season run as an “American Idol” judge.

“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,” the country star continued. After noting that Spence grew up just an hour away from his own Leesburg, Ga., hometown, Bryan shared that the “American Idol” alum’s death “really affected” him.

“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,” the “Buy Dirt” crooner said.

United States, Leesburg, Georgia

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