{"id":8718078,"date":"2023-01-17T07:57:53","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T15:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8718078&preview=true&preview_id=8718078"},"modified":"2023-01-17T07:57:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T15:57:59","slug":"american-idol-star-cj-harris-dead-at-31-of-apparent-heart-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/17\/american-idol-star-cj-harris-dead-at-31-of-apparent-heart-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018American Idol\u2019 star CJ Harris dead at 31 of apparent heart attack"},"content":{"rendered":"

CJ Harris, a singer who competed on \u2018American Idol\u2019 during the reality competition\u2019s 13th season, has died. The Alabama native was 31 years old.<\/p>\n

A family member told\u00a0TMZ\u00a0that Harris was taken to a hospital via ambulance but died following a suspected heart attack on Sunday in Jasper, Alabama.<\/p>\n

Harris placed sixth in \u2018Idol\u2019 season 13 \u2014 which aired on Fox in 2014 \u2014 giving his takes on Darius Rucker\u2019s \u201cRadio,\u201d John Mayer\u2019s \u201cWaiting on the World to Change,\u201d and Ray LaMontagne\u2019s \u201cShelter,\u201d among his other performances on the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sing \u2018cause you have to sing, not \u2018cause you want to sing,\u201d \u2018Idol\u2019 judge Keith Urban told Harris during the competition. \u2018And I mean that in the deepest way. And that\u2019s why it\u2019s so believable and real.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harris followed his \u2018American Idol\u2019 run with a performance with Rucker at the Grand Ole Opry and an \u2018Idol\u2019 concert tour with other season 13 contestants.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in the church, playing gospel music and singing in the choir. I guess I was a little nervous to go on \u2018Idol,\u2019 because I didn\u2019t know if I was prepared. I didn\u2019t have the training,\u201d Harris told\u00a0AL.com\u00a0in 2015. \u201cNow, when I get on stage in front of these crowds, it doesn\u2019t matter if I have my eyes closed. I don\u2019t have to keep a camera view. I can calm down, relax and be myself. Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to see those lights on stage. Every time I get into my bed right after a show, I still can\u2019t believe I\u2019ve been on stage. I\u2019m having a lot more fun than I did on the TV show.\u201d<\/p>\n