'X Factor' Contestant Freddie Combs Dead At Age 49
The world has lost a talented star.
His wife Kay told the outlet that the musical minister peacefully died on Friday, September 10, in Florida while in the presence of friends and family.
"I have so much gratitude to be his wife for 25 years and to be his best friend," Kay said.
The entertainer sadly succumbed to kidney failure after working hard for nearly 11 years to shed weight, a feat his wife says that she was very proud of. Combs weighed 900 pounds at his heaviest, but worked his way down to only 385 pounds.
During his time on the singing competition show, the vocal powerhouse gave a moving rendition of Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings" that blew the judges away.
Both judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid told Combs that they would support his future career, as long as he promised them that he would get healthy, lose weight and work to get out of his wheelchair.
"I don't believe you deserve to be stuck in this chair," Cowell told him at the time. "I'll back you if you back yourself."
During his 2012 audition, Combs explained, "I was bedridden and never came out of the house. My music was never heard. My biggest dream would be to give hope to people who are my size. I hope the judges will look past my exterior and give a fat boy a chance."
"Receiving four yes' is a yes to my future and a yes to my health," the vocal talent exclaimed prior to his audition.
Even though the talented religious leader was voted off the show following the judge's request, Combs still agreed to get healthy.
