'American Idol' Alum Joanne Borgella Dies at Age 32 from Cancer Battle

 

'American Idol' Alum Joanne Borgella Dies at Age 32 from Cancer

"American Idol" alum Joanne Borgella sadly passed away on Friday, Oct 18th. She lost her battle with cancer at just 32. Her family released a statement on Facebook to update her supporters. 

"Since her diagnosis over a year ago, Joanne made a choice to also be a fighter and share her journey with the world. Her faith, courage and strength were unshaken throughout every obstacle she encountered," her family wrote on Facebook. "Although our family is suffering with this great loss, we find comfort in the closeness Joanne shared with the Lord. We know her spirit still shines and will continue to live on in heaven."

Joanne was signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City, Miami and LA. She was the first winner of Mo'Nique's Fat Chance pageant as "Miss F.A.T." in 2005 and a top 24 contestant on Season 7 of "American Idol" in 2008. 

FOX's long-standing singing competition "American Idol" will return for a 14th season in 2015 but there will be changes to the format for the new season. Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly told reporters Monday that "American Idol" will be "streamlined" when it returns next year, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Ratings for the popular FOX show have been declining steadily for the past several years, but the viewership is still steady enough to guarantee at least one more season of the longstanding show. "American Idol" has produced such stars as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Phillip Phillips, Colton Dixon and more. 

 

 

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