Doug Kiker, singing garbage man who made Katy Perry cry on ‘American Idol,’ dead at 32
During season 18 of “American Idol,” Doug Kiker became a fan favorite when he drove then-judge Katy Perry to tears with his audition.
While standing in front of Perry, and fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, Kiker sang Rascal Flatts’ “Bless This Broken Road.” It was the first time he had ever sang in front of people, NBC News reports.
“For a man who has no idea what his voice can do, for a man who has no idea what key he’s singing in, for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be, he’s here to do one thing: He’s trying to show his daughter that he’s somebody,” Richie said to Kiker, People reported.
“I want us all to let you know, you’re a (heck) of a man.”
The Alabama native, known as the singing garbage man, was given the ticket to Hollywood but would later be eliminated. However, after quickly becoming a fan favorite, he was brought back to take part in the 2020 finale of the show.
In a March 12 Facebook post, Kiker’s sister, Angela Evans, shared that Kiker had died.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother, Douglas Kiker. He was sooo loved and will be missed by so many! You’re singing with the Angel’s now Bubba,” she wrote. “Please pray for our family as we go (through) this very difficult time.”
Another of Kiker’s sisters, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez wrote, “Today I got the call that no one wants to get. We lost an amazing person today. He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I know I didn’t raise him but I never stopped loving him. My parents did an amazing job with him. Douglas Kiker you will forever be missed. Fly high. Say hey to grandma.”
Two years after his appearance on the show, Kiker stopped updating his social media pages.
On Facebook, his final public message was shared on June 25, 2022. “It’s going to be ok y’all,” he wrote.
And on Instagram, he shared a video of himself singing a new song on Dec. 5, 2022.
“I’m working on a new song guys. It’s been a while.”
Carrillos-Ramirez set up a GoFundMe to aid in expenses, writing, “We are now left with the difficult task of bringing him home and covering funeral expenses.”
A cause of death has not been made public. Kiker was 32 years old.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Doug Kiker, singing garbage man who made Katy Perry cry on ‘American Idol,’ dead at 32."