‘America’s Received Expertise’ Finalist Dies at 44

A heartbreaking loss. America’s Received Expertise alum Zuri Craig died on Friday, October 21. He was 44.

The singer’s household shared the information by way of social media on Sunday, October 23. “It’s with profound disappointment that we announce the transition of our beloved son, brother and pal, Zuri Craig,” the assertion learn. “We thanks upfront to your prayers. Please honor our privateness throughout this unimaginable time of mourning.”

Within the caption, the truth TV persona’s family members added, “Please hold our household and buddies in your prayers. Extra information forthcoming… 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #RIPZuriCraig.”

A explanation for loss of life was not instantly revealed.

Craig was half of the Atlanta-based music group the CraigLewis Band. In 2015, he competed alongside companion Jeffrey Lewis on season 10 of AGT, delivering a show-stopping efficiency of James Brown’s “This Is a Man’s World.” The dynamic duo ended the season in fifth place, at one level incomes a gold buzzer from Michael Bublé for his or her rendition of Mary J. Blige‘s “I’m Goin’ Down.”

Alongside together with his time on the truth expertise competitors collection, Craig appeared in Madea’s Large Blissful Household (2011), A Madea Christmas (2011) and Madea Will get a Job (2013). Tyler Perry found the musician’s YouTube covers earlier than his AGT stint and employed him to work on his motion pictures.

Craig was within the course of of making an online collection titled Black Hollywood: Atlanta, for which he held a casting name in July 2021. Earlier this month, the NBC alum promoted a mission known as “Soul Meals Stay on Stage” by way of Instagram, prompting followers to get tickets for the November manufacturing.

A number of tragedies have impacted the AGT household over the previous 12 months. In July, season 15 contestant Nolan Neal was discovered unresponsive in his Nashville condo. In accordance with a spokesperson from the native health worker’s workplace, Nolan’s loss of life was dominated an accident brought on by “acute mixed drug toxicity with morphine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.” (The late singer had been candid about his struggles with substance abuse earlier than he handed away at 41.)

A number of months prior, season 16’s Nightbirde (actual identify Jane Marczewski) died at age 31 after a protracted battle with most cancers. Howie Mandel and his fellow judges issued heartfelt tributes within the late performer’s honor after studying of the loss.

“@_nightbirde was such a shiny inspirational gentle in all our lives.we should proceed to dwell and study from her phrases and lyrics. As a lot as I really feel horribly about her passing I really feel fortunate to to have met, heard and identified her,” the 66-year-old comic tweeted in February.

America’s Received Expertise launched a press release as nicely, telling Us on the time, “Your voice, your story, and your message touched thousands and thousands. Nightbirde will all the time be a member of the AGT household. Relaxation In Peace, Jane.”