Skilyr Hicks dies: Former America’s Got Talent contestant dies aged 23

Skilyr Hicks, who appeared on the eighth season of America’s Got Talent in 2013, has died aged 23, her mother has confirmed.

Skilyr Hicks, who appeared on America’s Got Talent, has died aged 23.

Singer-songwriter who appeared on America’s Got Talent season 8 in 2013.

Her mother, Jodi, said her daughter passed away Monday after she was found in a friend’s home in Liberty, South Carolina.

The cause of death is still unknown.

Skilyr’s mother said to TMZ that her daughter was facing mental health issues, including depression and substance abuse.

She says that Skilyr is loved by her family and four siblings and has used her music to help those in need.

She added that her daughter “will live through her music”.

Skilyr impressed judges Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Howard Stern enough to be voted through to the next stages.

She received four yes votes after singing an original song for which she wrote the lyrics.

Her touching backstory brought her into an extended segment on the show when she explained that she had lost her father a few years before her audition.

The young woman told the tape that her father’s death was “a really hard time for me” before saying that music helped her “reveal all the emotions that were building within”.

Hello for her comments, Howard said her father would “light up with pride” when he looked at his daughter.

Skilyr also revealed how she taught herself to play, write and sing.

Despite impressing the judges, Skilyr failed to make it to the live shows in New York City, but was still a hit on the show.

The artist was later arrested in 2018 for underage drinking and jailed for assaulting her family.

When news of her death spread, fans arrived Twitter to show their respect.

One user explained how it was “heartbreaking for her and her mother”.

Another wrote: “Rest in angelic peace.”

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