Claire Dawson
Several contestants on the popular TV show American Idol have been hospitalised during their time on the show. Funke Lagoke was taken to hospital after collapsing on stage during Hollywood Week's Duets night. She was treated for dehydration and was healthy enough to return the following week. Season 18 winner Just Sam, whose real name is Samantha Diaz, was also hospitalised, sharing images on her Instagram story. Season 23 contestant Josh King was rushed to hospital after suffering from excruciating pain during a songwriting retreat. Doctors diagnosed him with SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and he spent the weekend in hospital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Josh King |
| Season | 23 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Position | Top 8 Finalist |
| Diagnosis | SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) |
| Cause | Dehydration, fatigue, stress, heat exhaustion |
| Hospital Location | Virginia |
| Update | Released and recovering |
| Other | Winner of Season 18, Just Sam, was also hospitalized |
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What You'll Learn
Season 23 contestant Josh King was hospitalised with SIRS
Season 23 of American Idol witnessed a medical emergency when contestant Josh King was hospitalised with SIRS, a life-threatening condition. King, a musician from North Carolina, shared his terrifying experience in an Instagram post, recounting how he went from enjoying a songwriting retreat with fellow contestants to being rushed to the emergency room, unable to move due to excruciating pain.
King's Instagram post provided a detailed account of his ordeal. He described how the retreat, hosted by fellow contestant Nina Daig in Virginia, started off well. However, things took a turn for the worse when he woke up one morning, feeling "a bit iffy" and unable to move due to the severity of his pain. King was rushed to the hospital by Daig's husband, where he spent the weekend recovering.
During his hospital stay, King's health remained concerning. He shared that his heart rate remained steadily high, ranging from 125 to 130 bpm while at rest, and any movement caused him immense pain. Doctors diagnosed him with SIRS, or Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition triggered by the body's extreme response to stress. According to King, the doctors attributed his condition to a combination of factors, including dehydration, fatigue, stress, and heat exhaustion.
Fortunately, King's condition improved, and he was eventually released from the hospital. In his Instagram update, he expressed gratitude for the support he received from his "Idol family," including visits from fellow contestants Skylie Marie Thompson and Grayson Torrence. King acknowledged that his health challenges had been difficult but was optimistic about his recovery, stating that he was on the mend.
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Funke collapsed on stage and was taken to hospital
During the 2021 Hollywood Week round of the American Idol competition, contestant Funke Lagoke collapsed on stage and was rushed to the hospital. Lagoke was performing a duet with her partner, Ronda Felton, in front of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The pair had just received feedback from the judges for their performance of Barbra Streisand's "Tell Him."
Lagoke collapsed face-first onto the stage floor. Her duet partner, Felton, and the judges rushed to her side as the Idol medical team arrived. When she couldn't stand or sit up, an ambulance was called, and she was taken to the hospital. Lagoke was treated for dehydration and released, and she made a full recovery. She even returned for the showstopper round the following week.
The incident was a scary moment for both fans and judges, with Lagoke's fall described as "terrifying." The medical crew quickly gathered around her on stage, and she was loaded onto a stretcher to be taken to the hospital. Her chin was busted open, requiring stitches.
Felton was left shaken and in tears by the incident. The judges comforted her, with Lionel Richie sharing some encouraging news: "I was about to deliver some news so I thought I should deliver it to you. What I was going to say is, we both feel you two deserve to go through. So congratulations!" An emotional Felton replied, "It's absolutely amazing news, but I can't say I'm happy in this moment. I just am worried about her health; that's the number one thing. I just want her to know I care about her and I want her to be okay."
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Contestant King rushed to hospital during a songwriting retreat
Season 23 of 'American Idol' saw a shocking turn of events when contestant Josh King was rushed to the hospital during a songwriting retreat. King, who had wowed the judges and audiences alike with his stunning performances of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and Celine Dion's "All By Myself," suddenly fell ill during the retreat, causing concern among his fellow contestants.
The 24-year-old airport pianist from Charlotte, North Carolina, shared his experience on social media, recounting how he started to feel unwell on the second day of the retreat. On the third morning, he woke up in excruciating pain and was unable to move. Daig's husband rushed him to the nearest emergency room, where he was diagnosed with SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome). King's condition was likely caused by a combination of factors, including dehydration, fatigue, stress, and heat exhaustion.
During his hospital stay, King received visits from his fellow contestants, including Grayson Torrence and Samantha Ray, who offered their support and companionship. King expressed his gratitude for the "American Idol" community, stating that his "Idol family was there for [him] once again when [he] needed them." He also provided an update on his condition, reassuring fans that he was released and on the mend and focusing on his health.
This incident serves as a reminder of the physical toll that competing in such an intense competition can take and the importance of prioritizing one's health and well-being. King's experience also highlights the supportive community that can form among "American Idol" contestants, who come together to lift each other up in times of need.
Fortunately, King's condition improved, and he was released from the hospital. His talent, resilience, and the support of his "American Idol" family will undoubtedly continue to carry him through his musical journey and future endeavors.
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Season 18 winner Just Sam hospitalised after Instagram posts
The winner of the 18th season of "American Idol," Just Sam, whose real name is Samantha Diaz, was hospitalised with an unknown illness in 2020. The singer took to Instagram to share a pair of images indicating she'd been hospitalised. In one post, she wrote, "Thank you to everyone that checked on me. I am alive and out of the hospital." However, the next day, she appeared to be back in the hospital, but her condition had improved. She wrote, "I'm grateful for the prayers, everyone. I'm doing much better now." The cause of her hospitalisation was not disclosed, but she told her followers that she "seriously needed help."
Just Sam made history as the first LGBTQ+ Idol champion and the seventh female winner of the show. She won the competition with her powerful renditions of Kelly Clarkson's "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" and Andra Day's "Rise Up." Her victory came during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she missed out on the usual fanfare of weekly performances and a live studio audience in the final weeks. Instead, she was crowned in her apartment.
Unfortunately, Just Sam's music career did not take off after her win, and she returned to busking in 2023. She shared her disappointment in a now-deleted social media post, reflecting on the challenges of navigating the music industry as a young artist. In 2025, she shared a major update, announcing her pregnancy and expressing gratitude for her grandmother's support.
Just Sam's hospitalisation caused concern among her fans and highlighted the challenges that can arise even for talented individuals who achieve success in competitive industries. While the specific reasons for her hospitalisation remain unknown, her social media updates provided some reassurance that she was receiving the help she needed and was on the road to recovery.
In a separate incident, Season 23 contestant Josh King was also hospitalised and diagnosed with SIRS. He received visits from his fellow contestants and expressed gratitude for the support of his "Idol family."
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Two contestants hospitalised during Hollywood Week's Duets night
Hollywood Week's Duets night on "American Idol" witnessed not one but two contestants requiring medical attention, with one ending in hospitalisation. Funke Lagoke and Ronda Felton, who were paired as duet partners by the judges, experienced contrasting fortunes during their performance of "Tell Him" by Barbra Streisand. While Funke initially appeared confident, Ronda struggled with self-esteem issues and the pressure of learning the song in a single day.
During their performance, Ronda's insecurities manifested as she "crashed and burned," while Funke managed to hold her own. However, in a shocking turn of events, Funke collapsed on stage right after their duet. Ronda and the judges, including Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, rushed to her aid. As Funke was unable to stand or sit up, an ambulance was called, and she was transported to the hospital, where she received treatment for dehydration. Fortunately, Funke recovered and was healthy enough to return for the Showstopper round the following week.
The other contestant requiring medical attention was Ronda Felton, who suffered an anxiety attack after her duet performance. While less severe than Funke's condition, Ronda's anxiety attack warranted medical intervention. She received treatment backstage from the "American Idol" medical team and was monitored to ensure her condition stabilised.
In a separate incident, Josh King, a Season 23 contestant, was hospitalised during a songwriting retreat with fellow contestants. King, who finished eighth in the competition, shared his experience on social media, recalling how he started to feel unwell and eventually woke up in excruciating pain, unable to move. He was diagnosed with SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), likely caused by dehydration, fatigue, stress, and heat exhaustion. King spent several days in the hospital and received visits from his fellow "American Idol" contestants.
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Frequently asked questions
Josh King, a season 23 contestant, was hospitalized during a songwriting retreat with fellow contestants in Virginia. He was diagnosed with SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).
Funke Lagoke, a contestant during Hollywood Week’s Duets night, collapsed on stage and was taken to the hospital, where she was treated for dehydration.
Yes, Just Sam, the winner of season 18, was hospitalized as indicated by her Instagram story posts.
