Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski, the singer whose breakout performance as a contestant on the latest season of “America’s Got Talent” made her a fan favorite, has died at 31 after battling cancer. Show host Terry Crews shared the news on social media Monday.
Crews shared a photo of Nightbirde to Instagram, writing, “We are saddened to learn about @_nightbirde’s Passing. Our Condolences goes to her Closest Family & Friends in such of This difficult time. We Love you, Nightbirde.”
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Marczewski and “AGT” for comment. TMZ first reported the news of the singer’s death.
Ohio singer Marczewski had to withdraw from the NBC competition show midway through the 16th season in August, revealing at the time her health had “taken a turn for the worse” since her audition. The singer-songwriter’s exit came just after she captured America’s heart during her emotional performance of her original song about being more than her cancer, titled “I’m OK,” which earned her a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell.
“I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. ”Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it — but we knew that already.”
Marczewski previously shared she has a ”2% chance of survival” with ”some cancer in my lungs, spine and liver.” She added, “But 2% isn’t 0%. Two percent is something and I wish people knew how amazing it is.”
The “AGT” community took to social media to mourn the singer.
Judge Howie Mandel tweeted Monday that “@_nightbirde was such a bright inspirational light in all our lives.
“We must continue to live and learn from her words and lyrics. As much as I feel horribly about her passing I feel lucky to to have met, heard and known her,” he said.
Judge Heidi Klum shared a photo of Nightbirde on her Instagram story writing “We love you” and “rest in peace.”
Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo said in a tweet that Nightbirde “was a gift. To me to you to us. She showed strength despite weakness...she worshiped the present ability to love and be loved. I will live her lesson best I can. Rest in peace, beautiful friend.”
After her emotional exit from the show, the singer virtually returned to provide an update following her departure.
“I cannot say thank you enough for the opportunity to have a moment to share my story and we are witnessing such a beautiful picture of the human spirit,” she said at the time, adding that the overwhelming amount of support she received has “restored my faith in humanity.”
Cowell said Marczewski made the right decision to focus on ”your well-being, your health and your recovery.”
“You made the decision, rightly so, that your health is your priority right now and I know the last time we spoke you actually said that you feel like you let people down,” Cowell told her, holding back tears. “On behalf of all of us, you haven’t let anyone down. Even though you haven’t competed – you already won.”
