Skilyr Hicks, the sensational performer who mesmerized judges onAmerica’s Got TalentSeason 8, was pronounced dead last Monday at Liberty, South Carolina. The incredibly talented performer who turned heads on the show as a 14-year-old was 23 at the time ofher passing.
According to the report published by TMZ, Chief Deputy Chad Brooks at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has revealed that they are suspecting drug overdose as the cause of her death. However, no cause of death has been officially released yet. According to Deputy Brooks, Skilyr was found inside a bathroom on the floor at her friend’s house, and that drugs and paraphernalia were found at the scene. Her passing has reasonably affected her loved ones, especially her mother, Jodi Hicks. Her sister Breelyn posted a statement about her passing on Facebook as well.
My super beautiful, extremely talented, hilarious, free spirit of a sister left this world to be with Jesus… I can’t possibly put into words how broken-hearted I am. I will miss her like crazy. I’ll miss her voice, her long warm hugs, her constantly making jokes using puns. Her ability to create music that inspired thousands of people.
Jodi has subsequently revealed that Skilyr had a rather troubled personal life, as she battled monumental issues like depression and substance abuse. In the past few years, the young singer-songwriter made headlines when she was arrested for underage drinking. She was also charged with domestic violence for allegedly assaulting her family members. But Skilyr was loved by her family, and she helped many with her music.
She rose to fame as a talented young artist onAmerica’s Got TalentSeason 8 (2013). She managed to impress all the four judges — Mel B, Heidi Klum,Howie Mandel, and Howard Stern — and grabbed four yeses with her original songwriting. Her song felt even more impactful after she revealed what drove her to write her first song: Her father.
Skilyr had lost her father a few years prior to her appearance on the talent show, and his passing moved her to compose the song.
He made some bad decisions, and I hadn’t seen him in a few years… After his funeral, I wrote my first song.
Heidi Klumcommented on her performance saying “I feel like you won all of our hearts.” She received a similarly positive reaction from the other judges as well, with Mel B commenting that her voice was “way more mature” than one would expect from a 14-year-old. Although she was present in the show for but a short run, her time will always be a memorable one.
