Nell Smith, singer and Flaming Lips collaborator, dies at 17

Musician Nell Smith, an aspiring singer known for her collaborations with The Flaming Lips, has died in a car accident at the age of 17.

Smith's family confirmed her death in an Instagram post on Tuesday, writing: “It pains us so much to say that our vibrant, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday evening.”

“We are devastated by the news and don’t know what to do or say,” Smith’s family continued. “She had so much more to experience and give to this world, but we are grateful that she was able to experience so much in her 17 years. It has left an indelible mark on the Word and an unbridgeable chasm in our hearts.

“Take extra care of your children tonight and please leave it to us to work through things first. We will scream when we need you. Jude, Rachel, Jed and Ike.”

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne was one of the first to share the tragic news, mourning his former collaborator during a concert in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Coyne told the audience, “We have a very sad announcement to make tonight.”

“We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell. “We recorded a fantastic album with her three years ago, an album full of Nick Cave songs,” he said. “We have some very sad news today – she died in a car accident last night.”

“We are reminded once again of the power of music and how empowering it can be to be with the people you love,” concluded Coyne, before paying tribute to Smith with the song “Suddenly Everything Has Changed.”

Smith struck up a friendship with Coyne and the band after attending one of their concerts in 2018 wearing a parrot costume, much to the singer's amusement.

During the pandemic, Coyne encouraged the teenager to learn guitar, paving the way for her to work with The Flaming Lips on an album of Nick Cave covers.

2021's Where the Viaduct Looms eventually caught the attention of the gothic rock icon himself, who praised Smith for her rendition of “Girl in Amber.”

“Nell shows a remarkable understanding of the song, a sense of dispassion that is both beautiful and frightening,” Cave wrote on his website The Red Hand Files. “I just love it. I’m a fan.”

Smith had been preparing to release her first solo album in 2025.