Leah LaBelle Mourned by Pharrell, JoJo, Fantasia & More After Fatal Car Crash With Husband Rasual Butler

Celebrities and fans alike took to Twitter on Wednesday (Jan. 31) to mourn the loss of R&B singer and American Idol alum Leah LaBelle and her husband, ex-NBA star Rasual Butler. The couple were killed early Wednesday in a single-car accident in Studio City, California.

LaBelle appeared on season 3 of Idol, alongside Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia, back in 2004 and was later signed to Epic Records, in a joint deal between Jermaine Dupri‘s So So Def Records and Pharrell‘s I Am Other label. Butler played on several NBA teams during his 13-year career, including the Los Angeles Clippers, the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls. 

Related

Leah LaBelle's Musical History, From Gospel Choir to 'American Idol'

01/31/2018

LaBelle charted two songs on Billboard‘s charts: “Sexify,” which reached No. 89 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 23 on the Adult R&B Songs airplay charts in 2012, and “Lolita,” which peaked at No. 7 on Dance Club Songs. 

See some of the reactions below, including from LaBelle’s former label head Pharrell, onetime tourmate JoJo and fellow Idol season 3 contestant (and eventual winner) Fantasia.

 

@leahlabelle , your spirit was just as your voice; beautiful. Moments like these leave us with so many questions. What I don’t question is how much you loved God, how much you love your life partner and where you guys are now. Sing Sis, sing. ————

A post shared by Pharrell Williams (@pharrell) on Jan 31, 2018 at 2:06pm PST

Leah. beautiful sister from another mister. You will NEVER EVER be forgotten. Your voice. Your spirit. Your light. Cannot comprehend what this loss means. Thinking about your unwavering faith in God brings me peace. I love you, forever angel. pic.twitter.com/ZqmNeHfuAb

— JoJo. (@iamjojo) January 31, 2018

 

This just doesn’t seem right even saying right now but Rest In Peace Baby Girl —- @leahlabelle I will never forget you. Idol Family Forever

A post shared by Fantasia Taylor (@tasiasword) on Jan 31, 2018 at 11:51am PST

 

@leahlabelle RIP Angel — I’m sitting here STUCK LIKE NOOOOOOO WAYYYYYYY!!!

A post shared by Fantasia Taylor (@tasiasword) on Jan 31, 2018 at 1:03pm PST

 

Loved me some her @leahlabelle #heartbroken — pic.twitter.com/9764oEIcrd

— Nia Long (@NiaLong) January 31, 2018

Members of the NBA community also voiced their condolences on Twitter.

Rest In Peace my brother —-#RasualButler

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 31, 2018 

Come on man. Damn. The world just lost a great dude. RIP Rasual “Bop” Butler! https://t.co/tufRq2H3AI

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 31, 2018

I’m Terribly sorry to hear about the death of Rasual Butler and his wife. Thoughts & Prayers go out 2 his family and everyone affected by this terrible accident!

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) January 31, 2018  

Rip Bro bro —————- pic.twitter.com/92Oy2qPUaf

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 31, 2018

Show the people you care about most the love they deserve. Life is short. My deepest condolences to @RasualButler45 @leahlabelle and their families. May God be with you.

— Jake T. Austin (@JakeTAustin) January 31, 2018

Very sad to hear about my guy Rasual and his wife Leah. Great people. Such a lost. Please pray for the family. https://t.co/AOLhJaxF7o

— Ice Cube (@icecube) January 31, 2018

 

I’m in disbelief as I got the call today that you are no longer with us. My 1st reaction was how will your mom get through this. You two were sooooo close and meant everything to each other. The conversation you, your mother and I had at dinner that night made me feel like you were repaired and ready to dive back into this madness we call the music business. I was hoping that the world would finally get to see what I saw in you. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to experience your gift up close and personal. Hopefully I can find the strength and mental clarity to release the magic that we created that weekend in NY. God gave us an angel even if for only a moment. Some of us got a chance to experience some amazing vocals that came from the soul and a beautiful person with an amazing spirit. Will always remember how special you were. R.I.P. Leah. #LeahLabelle #AmericanIdol #Hervoice #Hergift #singer #AndreaoFanaticHeard

A post shared by Andreao Fanatic Heard (@experiencefanatic) on Jan 31, 2018 at 3:22pm PST