Longtime American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, have been killed following an apparent double homicide.
American Idol, in a statement from a spokesperson and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, said, “We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom’s, passing. Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her. Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Kaye, a veteran of music reality series, worked for American Idol from 2009 to the present day. She was responsible for clearing all songs used or performed on the show and was instrumental in getting Led Zeppelin to sign off on an Idol performance of “Whole Lotta Love” — a standout of season 8 when future Queen frontman Adam Lambert brought down the house.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department told THR on Tuesday that LAPD officers in Encino responded to a call for a welfare check at a home on White Oak Avenue on Monday at around 2:30 p.m.
On entering the home, a couple, one male and one female, was discovered with possible gunshot wounds. Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department then arrived at the residence and declared the couple dead at the scene.
The LAPD spokesman could not confirm the identity of the couple, but added that a homicide investigation is ongoing. No names of suspects or arrests in connection with the double murder investigation have yet been announced.
TMZ was the first to report that the couple was Kaye and Deluca. Kaye’s other music supervisor credits included work on Lip Sync Battle, After the Sunset, The Singing Bee and Q’Viva!: The Chosen.
She began her career on the record company and artist management side of the music industry, working for Waylon Jennings in Nashville, and then MTM Records in artist development. Kaye eventually joined the film and TV licensing department at MCA-Universal Records and then ran the music licensing division at PolyGram Records.
In 2000, Kaye launched her own company, SyncroniCity, and represented artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Kenny Loggins, Lang Lang, Donny Osmond and Steven Bishop. That eventually led her into music supervision. Among her other music supervision credits were several editions of the Miss Universe pageant and the NAACP Image Awards.
Deluca was a songwriter and musician. His last album, Street Rock, was released in 2022, according to his website.
Tributes to Kaye from former Idol contestants are flooding in as the community absorbs the shock of her passing. Colton Dixon, an Idol finalist from season 11, tells THR: “I’m absolutely devastated. Though I shouldn’t play favorites, Robin was always a highlight during 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.“
Adds season 8’s Scott MacIntyre: “Robin was great at her job. As a blind person, there were always some extra considerations for me to work through when I needed to get a hold of music or quickly research new songs to perform. Robin made that process as easy as possible for me and was always willing to go the extra mile. She helped me and a lot of others on our musical journeys.”
American Idol season 10 contestant Casey Abrams wrote on Instagram, “RIP Robin. You took care of me on Idol! I’m happy I knew you[.] Sending love to Kaye Family.”
Michele Angermiller and Fred Bronson contributed to this report.
July 15, 2:45 p.m. Updated with a statement from an American Idol spokesperson.
July 15, 4:45 p.m. Updated with statement from American Idol contestant Casey Abrams.
