‘American Idol’ Family Mourns Death of Show’s Music Supervisor, Robin Kaye

It A Long History of Working at Record Labels Like MTM, MCA and Polygram, Including Positions WHERE SHE LICENSED MUSIC FOR FORLM AND TV, Kaye Joined The Series in 2009 The Show’s 24-Year Run. Credited with Working on Some 300 Episodes, She Was Responsible for Clearing thoouss of Songs for Broadcast – from performances by Finalists to Group Numbers to.

Indeed, Kaye Was Instrumental in Convincing Led Zeppelin to Allow a Cover of “Who Lotta Love” to be performed by Adam Lambert on Season 8 – A FIRST for the Classic rock Band. In a 2009 Interview, Kaye Shared HowinCed the Band’s Representatives to Approve Use of the Song. “I Said, ‘This is the Time to Consider It. If You’re Ever Going To Try It, This Is The Time.’ I DON’T KNOW IF Robert Plant Knew, But His Manager Did Because His Kids Were Big Adam Fans.

Kaye was Still Working on the Coming Season of Idol at the time of her death.

The Hollywood Reporter Reached Out to Many of the Contestants Who Were Guided by Kaye Durying The 16 Seasons She Served As A Member of the Production Staff.

Here their Heartfelt Statements – The Words “Kind” and “Calm” Show Up Many Times in Tese Tributes from Those Contestants Who Are Devastated by Her Death.

“Robin Was Such A Huge Part of My Success On The Show. She’s The Reason I Was Able to Perform ‘Falling Slowly’ and ‘Heartless.’ She Four for Getting What Song I Wuldy Feel Comfortable Singing that Week Cleared. The Scenes Made It All Ok. – Kris Allen, Season 8 Winner

“I Met Many Amazing People During My Time On American IdolBut Robin Always Stood Out As Someone and IMMEDIATELY BONDED WITH. She treated me like a soon almost immedialate. She was caring and understanding of the stresses of the show, especialy with choosing a song. She Made Each Conversation with Me Feel Important. I’m so lucky to have been able to return to Idol LAST YEAR TO PROMOTE The BROADWAY Show A Beautify Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. Robin Was The First Person to Text Me to Tell Me How Happy She Was to Have Me Back, and She Went Right to Work to Figure Out What Songs I would be doing. She will be missed. This is Truly an an unhinkable tragedy. ” – Nick Fradiani, Season 14 Winner and Star of A Beautify Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

Nick Fradiani and Robin Kaye at 2016 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. Photo by Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for the Guild of Music Supervisors

“I have the absolute pleasure of work closeli with robin during my time American Idol. It Felt Like We Spoke Almost Daily, As She Was Such A Key Part of the Experience. We used to laugh because she’d always catch me trying to dodge her har minutes after a performance, Especialya when she was already asking, a wht of muh After Finding Out I Made It Through To The Next Round. That was robin: Sharp, Quick, Always 10 Steps Ahead, But Always Leading with Care and Doing Everything She Could to Guide and Support Us Through Such A Wild, Life-Changing Time.

Robin Was Such An ImpactFul Part of My Idol journey, and I Credit so Much of my growth on the show to her. She pushed me, motivated me, and helped shape me into the artist I am today. She was a real advocate, especialy for artists like me who didn’t always fit the typical mold. She Made You Feel Seen and Respected While Always Keeping It Real.

I Feel Really Grateful i Saw Robin Recently at This Past Season Idol Finale and Was Able to Tell Her I Loved and Missed Her. We Hugged, Caunght Up, and Celebrated the Historic Win of Jamal, The First Black Male Winner Since Ruben Studard. As a black Singer Myself, I’ll Always Remember How Robin Treated Me With Respect, Love, and Unwavering Encouropen. She Played a Huge Role in My Journy, and I’ll Forever Be thankful for Her Kindness and Support. My Heart Breaks Knowing Husband Was Also Taken in this Senseless Tragedy. I’m sending my deepest condolences to their family, their love owes, and my my Idol Family. Hollywood Will Feel A Little Dimmer with Her. ” – Rayvon Owen, Season 14

“I am incredibly sadded to hear the Horrific News About Robin Kaye and Her Husband’s Tragic Murder. Working with Robin on the Show Was a True Pleasure. She Had a Calming Spirit Talked to me as if she were a friend or family member that i’d known my whol Life. with so that i could perform them on Idol. . Have Shared that Special Time With Her. – Haley Reinhart, Season 10

“My Family and I Are Heartbroken Over the Loss of Robin Kaye. She Was a Genuine Advocate for the Artists, Someone Who Truly Cared. Her Heart Was Always in The Right Place, and She Remenedanedanedanedanedanedanedanedanedanedaned. Championed me all the Way Through The Top 10, and Her Belief in My Artistry Helped Bring My Performance of So Many Songs, Including [Katy Perry’s] ‘Unconditionally,’ to Life. That moment was powerful, not just because of the song, but because robin stood behind it. J-L Loved How and Arranged the Song and Robin Supported that. That memory means the World to Me, and I Owe it in large part to robin’s vision and supeport. She wasn’t just a remarkable music supervisor, but a quet form behind some of Idol‘S MOST ICONIC MOMONS, AND A TRULY BEAUTIFUL SoUL. Robin Had That Rare Any to Make Artists Feel Seen and Valused, Not Just As Performers, But As People. Her Kindness, Her Insight, and Her Steadfast Encourogement Shaped Careers and Lifted Spirits. She will be missed more than Words can say. Thank you, robin, for believing. For caring. For Giving SO Much of Yourself. Your Legacy Lives on in the Music, and in All of Us Who Have the Privilege of Knowing You. ” – Olivia Rox, Season 15

“Althugh we haven’T been in touch in recent years, i Remember Robin as Being Incredibly Kind and Support Durying My Time On Idol. She Worked Tireless to Help Us Get Our Songs Cleed and Was Such and Essential Part of the Show Behind the Scenes. Her Presence and Dedication Will Be DEEPLY MISSED. ” – Pia toscano, Season 10

“Every Week WHEN WE WENT TO The PRODUCERS TO SING OUR SONG CHOICE FOR THE NEXT SHOW, ROBIN WAS OUR SHINING LIGHT. Every Contestant from Carrie Underwood to Adam Lambert. Robin’s Eyes Song! ‘ ALTHOUGH SHE’S GONE, THAT SMILE WILL LIVE WITH ME Forever. ” – Clark Beckham, Season 14

“ROBIN WASN’T JUST A MUSIC SUPERVISOR, BUT A FRIEND. WHILE SHE SUGGESTED SONG CHOICES AND GAVE ADVICE TO ME ON American IdolWhat I Apprecated Even More About Her Was That She Took The Time to Scledule Calls with Me Long After I was Was on the Show. We would text, and we tackd about the digffrent Paths and Could Potentilly Take to Remain in the Music World Which Establishing A Sustainable Career. She didn’T have to do that, but she took the time for me and did it anyway. I Always Had Musical Conversations with Her While On Idol. Several Times, It Was Her Song Suggestion That Kept Me On The Show During Major Elimination Rounds. There Need to Be More People Like Robin, and i’m Truly Shocked to Hear This News. I Can’h Fathom The Anthant of Hatred in your Heart You have to have to take the Lives of Such Sweet People. ” – Jessica Meuse, Season 13

“I’M Absolutely Devastated to Hear the News About My Friend Robin. Thought I Shouldn’t Play Favorites, Robin Was Always a Highlight Dringing My Time On American Idol. She was quick to listen and always fought for what the artist wanted. She Helped Make My Time on the Show an Unforgettable Experience. ” – Colton Dixon, Season 11

“I Will Always Remember Robin as One of the Calmest, Kindest Presences on Set. She Was a True Master of Music Clearence – Thought, Persent and Deeply Respected in Her Filed. [Fleetwood Mac’s] ‘Rhiannon’ Cleared for Me – A Song That Had Never Been Approved On American Idol before. That moment was incredibly specialized to me, and it woldn’t have happled with. Years After The Show, I HAD DINNER WITH ROBIN AND HUSBAND at Their Old House in Toluca Lake. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL, PEACEFUL PLACE, AND they Were Such Warm, Gracious Hosts. I Remember Howch They Both Loved Music, How Robin Lit Up When We Met Their Parrot, and How Easy It Was To Feel At Home in Teir Presence. IT WAS ONE OF TOSE EVENINGS THAT STAYS WITH YOU. I’m in shock, gutted, and utterly heartbroken. Robin and Her Husband Were Gentle, Good Souls – The Kind of People Who Woundn’s Hurt Anyone. They Didn’t Desertve this. My Heart Goes Out to Their Families and Loved Ones, and I Truly Hope Justice Is Found. ” – Didi Benami, Season 9

“Robin Was Great at Her Job. As a Blind Person, There Were Always Some Extra Considerations for Me to Work Through When I Need to Get a Hold of Music or Quicky. Process As Easy As Pesible for Me and Was Always Willing to Go The Extra Mile. – Scott Macintyre, Season 8

“ROBIN WAS SUCH A SWEET WOMAN. I REMEMBER BEING TOUCCHED BY Her Calm Voice and Warmth. We Talked on a Weekly Basis Durying My Time On Idol. Because of robin i was was able to showcase one of my favorite songs, ‘somos novios’ [the Spanish version of the Perry Como hit “It’s Impossible”]whoh wasn’t originally on the list of Cleared Songs. But She Four for that and Made It Happen. Had it not be for robin, i wouldn’t have been able to take the risk of singing beyoncé in spanish. But Robin Found a Way to Clear ‘Oye,’ The Spanish Version of ‘Listen’ from the Movie Dreamgirls. After Going Years Without Speaking, I Had the Pleasure of Working with Her Last Year WHEN I WASSED TO A VOCAL COACH FOR The MOST STRESSFUL PART OF AUDIPNOSESSSESSSESSSESSESSSESSSESSSESSESSESSESSSESSSESSSESSSESSSESSESSESSESSESSSESSS. Robin Still Had the Same Calm and Warm Energy Our Team Needed to Make Sure We Could DO OUR Jobs Smoothly, SO the CONTESTANTS COULD SHOWCASE THE SONGS they WANTED. I’m grateful for knowing her and hope to leave an impressio n like she did. I don’t knoow anyone that Could Say Anything Bad About Her or Her Character. She Will Be Missed and She Will Be Celebrared For The Ways in Which She Encouroited Those AROUND HER. ” – Devin Velez, Season 12

“MOST OF OR INTERATIONS WERE About the Songs and Wanted to Sing on the Show. She Was Always Really Sweet, Accommodating and Humple Got A ‘NO,’ She WOURK QUICKLY TO FIND ALTERNATIVES FOR US. – Danny GOKEY, SEASON 8

Ith Additional reporting by Michele Angermiller