Back in 2012, Tennessee singer and church minister Freddie Combs stunned The X Factor USA’s second season when he was helped on stage by his carer and loving wife, Kay. But Freddie’s sob story was unlike any other in X Factor history, or in the TV talent show world, for that matter.
Curious to see what went down? Music Man readers can revisit Freddie’s blindingly inspirational audition in the video below—a clip that’s going viral all over again, amassing more than 168,000 views in little more than a month!
In his pre-audition tape, Freddie explains how a mere three years before, his weight had reached a jaw-dropping 920 lbs, causing him to become bedridden and unable to leave the house, leading to a near-death experience. However, as Freddie tells producers, “Today, through exercise and proper diet, I have lost almost 400 lbs. When you almost die, your life changes, and you look at living in a whole different manner.”
Music became Freddie’s love and lifeline while suffering in his bedridden state. But, sadly, due to his weight, Freddie was never able to get out there to make his music heard and fulfill his dream of becoming a pro musician.
So, taking to the X Factor stage at 540 lbs, Freddie initially shocked the judges and audience, soon winning their hearts and praise with his inspirational story. Dedicating his cover of Bette Midler’s 1988 hit, “Wind Beneath My Wings” to his wife of 16 years, Kay, the suspense was built up to the rafters as Freddie finally secured his chance to shine before thousands of adoring fans.
From his very first line, Freddie unleashes his impeccable talent – a smooth, near-operatic, and emotionally-driven voice as pitch-perfect as any recording artist. Judges Demi Lovato and Britney Spears each hold back the tears as Freddie dazzles the theatre with his powerful ballad, Simon Cowell watching, smitten, with a sparkle in his eye.
Freddie only serves one verse and chorus, but it’s enough to earn him an instant standing ovation from the audience. The judges look past Freddie’s weight to praise his supernatural vocal talent, with Britney calling his audition “shockingly amazing” and Demi following up, commenting, “You have a really strong, beautiful voice, and it’s really touching too. I feel a lot of emotion behind what you’re singing and that’s what really inspires me as a musician – to keep trying to connect with the audience, and I think you did just that.”
However, Simon Cowell stepped things up a notch when he offered the Tennessee singer a challenge: “When I heard you sing, I had a vision in my mind of you standing, singing that song, healthy, happy, and maybe you need some inspiration to help you to that next stage because it’s within you to sort this out, and I don’t think you deserve to be stuck in that chair, but it has to come from you. And I kind of feel that if we’re going to go forward, that we have to make a deal with each other that we’re both going to work hard to sort this out, because I’ll back you if you back yourself.”
Freddie wholeheartedly agreed with Simon’s painful truth, a smile spreading across his face as the judges awarded him four out of four Yes votes. He told producers, with tears welling in his eyes, “Receiving four Yeses is more than just a stamp for my talent. It’s a Yes to my future, a Yes to my health, and a Yes to every other single person who’s been bed-bound.”
Sadly, Freddie’s story came to a tragic close in 2021 when he passed away from kidney failure, at 49 years of age.
But that doesn’t stop Freddie from becoming an inspiration to thousands. As he revealed on his audition tape, “My biggest dream would be to give hope to people who are my size so that they can achieve their dreams. I know people might think that I would never have a chance, and maybe I don’t, but I hope the judges will look past my exterior and give a fat boy a chance.” He certainly achieved his goal, with his audition becoming a rare example of a true, dream-capturing success.
Freddie Combs’ remarkable journey from a 920lb, bed‑ridden near‑death experience to losing almost 400lbs and inspiring millions is a testament to resilience and faith. If you want to revisit his unforgettable X Factor audition and discover more about his story, check the useful links below this paragraph.
