X-Factor star's cause of death at 49 revealed as fans pay tribute (2025)

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X-Factor star's cause of death at 49 revealed as fans pay tribute (1)

THE X factor alum Freddie Combs died on Friday at the age of 49.

Freddie Combs was a fan favorite contestant during season 2 of the singing competition.

His wife Kay revealed he passed away due to kidney failure and his death was not caused by Covid, reportsTMZ.

Freddiewas surrounded by family and friends at a Florida hospital at the time of his passing.

Kay shared that she knew the day before his death that he was about to die but was happy to have gotten that last day with him.

"I have so much gratitude to be his wife for 25 years and to be his best friend,” she added.

Read our Freddie Combs live blog for the latest news and updates...

  • 16th Sept 2021, 22:30By Julia Fields

    WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY

    Before his time on The X Factor, Freddie had a near-death experience due to obesity, as he weighed 920 pounds at that time.

    Judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid promised to back Combs if he promised to get healthy, lose weight and get out of his wheelchair, which Freddie vowed to do so.

    Though he never won the competition, he did manage to lose more than 400lbs from 2009, when he weighed 920lbs.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 22:00By Julia Fields

    FREDDIE'S LAST TWEET

    The last tweet that Freddie wrote was on February 5, 2003.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 21:31By Julia Fields

    WHAT DID FREDDIE SAY ABOUT HIS WIFE DURING HIS AUDITION?

    Freddie auditioned for the X-Factor in 2012 and opened up to the judges about his weight loss journey.

    “My wife Kay, she’s an incredible woman. She started caring for me right after we were married in ’96, and as my weight rose, more things were required of her. She’s the closest thing to an angel and a saint that I know,” he said at the time.

    “When I was bedridden and never came out of the house, my music was never heard,” he said.

    “My biggest dream would be to give hope to people who are my size so they can achieve their dreams. And I know people might think 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.”

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 21:01By Julia Fields

    FREDDIE'S WEBSITE

    Freddie and Kay's website shares a bit more about them and their ministry.

    It reads, "FREDDIE & KAY RESIDE IN COCOA, FLORIDA.

    "THEY BASE THEIR MINISTRY OUT OF ABUNDANT LIFE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH IN SILSBEE, TEXAS WHERE BISHOP DOUGLAS WHITE IS THE SENIOR PASTOR.

    "FREDDIE IS A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

    "THE COMBS' ARE APOSTOLIC IN DOCTRINE, PENTECOSTAL BY EXPERIENCE, AND HOLINESS IN THEIR LIFESTYLE.

    "FREDDIE IS AN EVANGELIST, SONGWRITER, SINGER AND MUSICIAN.

    "KAY IS A SINGER AND MUSICIAN AS WELL AND PLAYS THE TRUMPET."

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 20:30By Julia Fields

    AUDITION

    Freddie shared a photo of Kay kissing him after he had auditioned for X Factor and received four yes's.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 20:01By Julia Fields

    FREDDIE AND KAY

    Freddie shared this photo of him and his wife Kay in 2013.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:48By Julia Fields

    NOT COVID RELATED

    Kay clarified that Comb's death was not Covid realted, but rather kidney failure.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:45By Julia Fields

    WHAT DID COMBS SING FOR HIS AUDITION?

    He performed Wind Beneath My Wings during his audition, dedicating the song to his wife.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:43By Julia Fields

    SENDING PRAYERS

    Fellow church goers are sending their prayers for Combs who was a minister.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:39By Julia Fields

    WHAT SEASON OF THE X FACTOR DID COMBS APPEAR ON?

    He was a fan favorite contestant during season 2 of the singing competition.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:36By Julia Fields

    KAY ON COMB'S PASSING

    Kay shared that she knew that he was about to die the day before his death but was happy to have gotten that last day with him.

    "I have so much gratitude to be his wife for 25 years and to be his best friend,” she added.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:33By Julia Fields

    HOW DID COMBS DIE?

    Accoridng toTMZ, Combs' wife revealed he passed away due to kidney failure, statingCoviddid not cause his death.

    Family and friends surrounded the former X Factor contestant at aFloridahospital when he passed.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:30By Julia Fields

    TLC STARS

    Combs and Kay starred in two episodes of TLC's special Heavily Ever After, which documented the everyday struggles of overweight couples as they attempt to slim down.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:29By Julia Fields

    WHAT DID SIMON COWELL TELL COMBS?

    Judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid promised to back Combs if he promised to get healthy, lose weight and get out of his wheelchair, which Freddie vowed to do so.

    Though he never won the competition, he did manage to lose more than 400lbs from 2009, when he weighed 920lbs.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:26By Julia Fields

    NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

    Before his time on The X Factor, Freddie had a near-death experience due to obesity, as he weighed 920 pounds at that time.

    The minister said on the reality show that he loved singing as part of his job but was on disability due to his health issues and no longer had his minister role.

    At the time, Combs appeared on X Factor, weighing in at 540 pounds, performing on a wheelchair.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:25By Julia Fields

    WAS COMBS MARRIED?

    In July 1996, Combs married Katrina "Kay" Rife.

    Born in Jonesville,North Carolina, the fan-favorite received four yes votes for his rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings, which he dedicated to his wife, Kay.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:21By Julia Fields

    WHO WAS FREDDIE COMBS?

    Combs was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who competed in season two ofThe X Factormusic competition series.

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:21By Julia Fields

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  • 16th Sept 2021, 19:20By Julia Fields

    FREDDIE COMBS PASSES AWAY

    Former X Factor star Freddie Combs tragically passed away on September 10.

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