3:50pm UK, Tuesday July 28, 2009
Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest have paid tribute to a former American Idol who died in a hit and run in New Jersey.
Alexis Cohen auditioned for the show in 2007 and famously got in a row with Brit judge Simon Cowell, calling him "egotistical."
Singer and Idol judge Abdul wrote on her Twitter account: "My heart goes out to the family of Alexis Cohen. She showed great courage at Idol and lets send our prayers to her family now."
Cohen had also auditioned for the producers this season, according to Idol host Seacrest.
He wrote on his Twitter page: "My thoughts are with the Cohen damily. it is such a sad story. She auditioned for the producers for this season and then terrible news."
A man has been arrested in connection with the death which happened on Saturday.
Daniel Bark, 23, was orginally charged with leaving the scene of an accident but has since had other charges brought against him.
These include aggravated manslaughter and drink driving.
Cohen sang for the judges in two seasons of the show in 2007 and 2008 and then again for producers this year.
She is best known for her rant against the panel in her first audition after being rejected.
