Freddie Combs, a minister and one-time star of music competition show “The X Factor” has passed away. He was 49.
Combs’ wife, Kay, told TMZ the singer died last Friday following a slate of health problems. His death was not COVID-19 related but due to kidney failure. Freddie was surrounded by friends and family at a Florida hospital at the time of his death.
Freddie had been doing his best to lose weight since hitting a high of 920 lbs in 2009, Kay said. In 2010, the couple and their weight issues were featured on a TLC show called “Ton of Love,” and Freddie had dropped down to 540 lbs when he went before judges on the second season of “The X Factor”’s American edition.
His rendition of Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” made him a fan favorite, and judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid gave him their word they’d support him if he got healthier. Freddie, who was in a wheelchair at the time, promised he would. He was eliminated shortly thereafter.
Kay told TLC that, the day before Freddie’s death, she knew he would die.
“I have so much gratitude to be his wife for 25 years,” she said, “and to be his best friend.”