ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – If things had gone differently nearly two decades ago, Nikki McKibbin would have won the first season of “American Idol.” But she finished third in 2002, behind winner Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini. McKibbin has died. Her husband says she suffered a brain aneurysm last week – and was taken off life support yesterday. She was 42. McKibbin tearfully hugged her fellow contestants after being voted off Idol’s first season, prompting judge Simon Cowell to console her by saying, “out of 10,000 people, you are third. This is not a time for tears.” In a statement, “American Idol” says it’s “deeply saddened” by news of her death – and that McKibbin was “an incredible talent.”