Simon Cowell Breaks Silence On The Passing Of Former 'AGT' Contestant Nolan Neal

"America's Got Talent" judge Simon Cowell is finally speaking out regarding the death of former contestant Nolan Neal. Cowell spoke to People and said that Neal's sudden death was "horrible" and that the musician "passed too soon."

Neal passed away several weeks ago at 41 years old after battling substance abuse and addiction for many years. He was found alone and dead in his apartment, and his family is now soliciting funds to handle his funeral and memorial.

Read on to find out more.

Cowell recently spoke to People about Neal's death and expressed how devastated he was when he got the news. He said, "Unfortunately, it happens too much over the years. I was thinking about this the other day. People [who] passed too soon. Every time it happens, because you've gotten to know them, it's horrible."

"At that moment, it's like, 'What can I say?'" he continued, "The unfortunate thing is it's happened too many times and every time it happens, it's hard." Cowell also referenced the recent death of his AGT golden buzzer selection, Nightbirde, and said, "After the last three years, it's been tough. And then, you think everything's okay and then something hits you like a story like that and it's hard."

He explained that he had learned a lot from the two musicians' deaths, such as that he has to take every day as it comes and try to stay positive and healthy. He said, "That's it. I mean, I was talking about this to someone earlier on; you're never prepared for these days."

Neal's family announced that he had passed last month after he was found alone and dead in his apartment. The local medical examiner's office also confirmed that he died on July 18th to TMZ, and his cousin, Dylan Seals, also reconfirmed the news to People.

While the police are yet to confirm Neal's cause of death, Seals also confirmed that the artist "ultimately succumbed to his battle with substance abuse." He also called Neal one of the most talented people he had ever met in the entertainment industry.

Seals said, "He was always open and honest about [his substance abuse] struggle. He was a loving father and son. A light to all who knew him. My heart goes out to his two children and his mother Cathy."

Neal rose to fame in 2020 when he competed on "America's Got Talent." His audition was amazing, and he performed an original song titled "Lost." Despite his immense talent, Neal was eventually eliminated in the Judges' Choice section of the Quarterfinals.

Following the announcement of his death, Neal's daughter, Caylin Cate, set up a GoFundMe page, appealing to any of his fans and the public for funds. In the description, Cate explained that her father had no life insurance or "any money whatsoever."

She wrote, "The expenses that come from this are extensive as we are trying to prepare for his funeral and fly in his son & loved ones. If you want to help in anyway, you can donate here. Anything is appreciated and I am so grateful for the community rallying behind us."

Over the years, Neal opened up severally about his battles with substance abuse and addiction. During an interview with WBIR in 2020, he said, "I remember I got clean in 2010; May 15th, went to rehab. Stayed clean. I joined the rock band Hinder, they were all about drinking and partying. This is not their fault."

He continued, "I had decided I wanted to drink like a normal person. I remember trying to be normal and fitting in. I remember going to a bar and ordering a drink. I tried to hide it. I remember pretending to be normal. I was just lying to myself telling myself that I could control it."

He admitted that he lost his way several times and even drank while he competed on The Voice in 2016. He also said that he eventually discovered a way to stick with his sobriety. Neal said, "I found happiness by helping others in recovery. I found a way to be happy without the things I thought made me happy before."