Back in 2012, Tennessee singer and church minister Freddie Combs stunned The X Factor USA\u2019s second season when he was helped on stage by his carer and loving wife, Kay. But Freddie\u2019s sob story was unlike any other in X Factor history, or in the TV talent show world, for that matter.<\/p>\n
Curious to see what went down? Music Man readers can revisit Freddie\u2019s blindingly inspirational audition in the video below\u2014a clip that\u2019s going viral all over again, amassing more than 168,000 views in little more than a month!<\/p>\n
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, \u201cToday, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Music became Freddie\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 1988 hit, \u201cWind Beneath My Wings\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
From his very first line, Freddie unleashes his impeccable talent \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
Freddie only serves one verse and chorus, but it\u2019s enough to earn him an instant standing ovation from the audience. The judges look past Freddie\u2019s weight to praise his supernatural vocal talent, with Britney calling his audition \u201cshockingly amazing\u201d and Demi following up, commenting, \u201cYou have a really strong, beautiful voice, and it\u2019s really touching too. I feel a lot of emotion behind what you\u2019re singing and that\u2019s what really inspires me as a musician \u2013 to keep trying to connect with the audience, and I think you did just that.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Simon Cowell stepped things up a notch when he offered the Tennessee singer a challenge: \u201cWhen 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\u2019s within you to sort this out, and I don\u2019t think you deserve to be stuck in that chair, but it has to come from you. And I kind of feel that if we\u2019re going to go forward, that we have to make a deal with each other that we\u2019re both going to work hard to sort this out, because I\u2019ll back you if you back yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freddie wholeheartedly agreed with Simon\u2019s 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, \u201cReceiving four Yeses is more than just a stamp for my talent. It\u2019s a Yes to my future, a Yes to my health, and a Yes to every other single person who\u2019s been bed-bound.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sadly, Freddie\u2019s story came to a tragic close in 2021 when he passed away from kidney failure, at 49 years of age.<\/p>\n
But that doesn\u2019t stop Freddie from becoming an inspiration to thousands. As he revealed on his audition tape, \u201cMy 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\u2019t, but I hope the judges will look past my exterior and give a fat boy a chance.\u201d He certainly achieved his goal, with his audition becoming a rare example of a true, dream-capturing success.<\/p>\n
Freddie Combs\u2019 remarkable journey from a 920lb, bed\u2011ridden near\u2011death 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.<\/p>\n