Nolan Neal’s daughter asks for donations after ‘AGT’ contestant dies suddenly
Nolan Neal’s daughter is asking for money to help pay for funeral expenses after the “America’s Got Talent” alum died suddenly Monday and did not leave “any money whatsoever.”
Caylin Cate created a GoFundMe account on Wednesday aptly titled “Nolan Neal Funeral Expenses” in hopes of raising money in the wake of her father’s passing.
“As I’m sure you all have heard, my Dad passed away suddenly,” Cate wrote in the page’s description. “He did not have any life insurance or any money whatsoever.”
She explained that she is asking for donations to not only cover funeral costs, but also to fly in Neal’s son and his loved ones for the service.
The Tennessee resident then concluded, “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.”
Neal, whose real full name was Nolan Neal Seals, was found dead in an apartment in Nashville on Monday, police previously confirmed to Page Six. He was 41.
“Mr. Seals was located in the bedroom of the downstairs apartment by the upstairs roommate,” a public information officer told us the following day, also noting that on the desk next to the singer’s bed was a “black guitar pick that appeared to contain a powder residue.”
The musician, who competed on both “AGT” and “The Voice,” struggled with substance abuse for years. In July 2020, he opened up about it publicly with local NBC news program WBIR.
“I remember I got clean in 2010; May 15, went to rehab. Stayed clean,” he shared at the time. “I joined the rock band Hinder, they were all about drinking and partying.”
Neal said he tried to “be normal” and “fit in,” but said his band was not to blame for his drinking habits.
“I remember going to a bar and ordering a drink,” he added. “I tried to hide it. I remember pretending to be normal. I was just lying to myself telling myself that I could control it.”
Neal’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed and the medical examiner’s office in Nashville previously told Page Six it can take eight weeks to get autopsy results.
Meanwhile, as Cate seeks donations, the money has already begun to pour in from fans and loved ones.
One person wrote in the comments section of the GoFundMe, “My heart goes out to Caylin and Nolan’s family. I was so sad to hear that he had passed away. I first saw Nolan’s story on ‘AGT.’ It was so inspiring. I still haven’t tried out though, but I hope eventually I will get the courage to. To honor Nolan.”
A former colleague added, “Nolan had talent only God could give. My sincerest condolences to Nolan’s family. He produced many of my songs and some have not been released yet. He texted me last week to encourage me to get them out there. He had a good soul.”
Cate’s goal of $15,000 was surpassed within 24 hours. As of Thursday afternoon, she raised more than $19,000.
A rep for GoFundMe confirmed to Page Six the legitimacy of the account and shared that it has also been posted on Neal’s verified Facebook page.
