Skilyr Hicks

Skilyr Leigh Hicks (1998[1] – December 6, 2021) was an American singer-songwriter. She appeared on America's Got Talent season 8 in 2013, after which she released her debut studio album Brand New Day. She died on December 6, 2021 at the age of 23.

Skilyr Hicks
Birth nameSkilyr Leigh Hicks
Born1998[1]
Died (aged 23)[1]
Liberty, South Carolina, U.S
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2013–2021

Career

Hicks learned to play the guitar in 2011. By her appearance on America's Got Talent at age 14 in 2013, she had written 20 original songs and performed in more than 100 shows.[2] On American's Got Talent, she sang "Brand New Day", an original song she had written for her late father. The clip of her singing went viral.[3] She was eliminated in the second round of eliminations.[2] After the show, she released her nine-track album Brand New Day. Later that year, she appeared on the album The 12 Bands of Christmas: Vol. 10, singing "Snowflakes in the South".

On her YouTube channel, Hicks released covers of Christina Aguilera's version of the song "Say Something" and Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love".[4]

Personal life

Hicks attended North Augusta High School in North Augusta, South Carolina. In April 2015, Hicks went missing after school and her mother posted on Facebook asking for the public's help. Hicks was found that same day.[5] She went missing again in May 2021 with police asking for the public's help in trying to locate her.[6] The police stated Hicks struggled with mental health issues at that time.[6] She was located five days later.[7]

Hicks had been in trouble with the law on multiple occasions. In 2017, she was arrested and jailed for assaulting three family members while drunk. She spent more than 10 days in jail for the assaults.[8] In November 2018, she was arrested for underage drinking and then failed to appear in court on multiple occasions.[9]

On December 6, 2021 she was found dead at a friend's house in Liberty, South Carolina of "a possible overdose."[10]

Discography
Album Details
Brand New Day
The 12 Bands of Christmas: Vol. 10
  • Track: "Snowflakes in the South"
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Stereo
  • Formats: CD, Digital download

See also

References
  1. "'America's Got Talent' alum Skilyr Hicks dies at 23". NBC News. December 9, 2021. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  2. Dicks, Nikasha (July 24, 2013). "Teen on a musical journey". The Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  3. Dicker, Ron (December 9, 2021). "America's Got Talent Singer Skilyr Hicks Has Died, Aged 23". HuffPost. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  4. Heller, Corinne (December 8, 2021). "Former America's Got Talent Contestant Skilyr Hicks Dead at 23". E Online. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  5. "UPDATE: 'America's Got Talent,' North Augusta resident Skilyr Hicks has been found". Aiken Standard. April 23, 2015. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  6. "Police seek information on location of missing 22-year-old woman". ABC 13 News. May 8, 2021. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  7. "Located: Greer police locate missing person". Greer Today. May 8, 2021. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  8. Anderson, Meredith (April 27, 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Skilyr Hicks' family speaks out following family violence arrest". WRDW. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  9. Young, Julius (November 29, 2018). "'America's Got Talent' star Skilyr Hicks arrested for underage drinking". Fox News. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  10. Segarra, Edward (December 9, 2021). "Former 'America's Got Talent' contestant Skilyr Hicks dead at 23". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.


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