Freddie Combs came to The X Factor USA from Greeneville, Tennessee. He was about to turn 41 and worked as a minister. Before he even sang, he shared a story that left the judges speechless. In 2009 he weighed 920 pounds and almost died. Through exercise and diet, he had lost nearly 400 pounds.
Beside him was his wife Kay, his wife of almost 16 years. Freddie called her the closest thing to an angel and a saint that he knows. She started caring for him soon after they married, and as his weight grew, so did everything she had to do for him. He said his dream was to give hope to people his size and to show that they can still reach their dreams ❤️.
He chose Wind Beneath My Wings and dedicated it to her. Sitting in his chair, he sang with a warm, powerful voice, and the whole room listened in silence.
One judge called his voice heavenly and said the comments were purely about his singing, not sympathy. Another said it was shockingly amazing. Simon told Freddie he could picture him standing, healthy and happy, singing that song, and offered him a deal. If Freddie backed himself, Simon would back him. Freddie agreed, and Simon gave the first yes. L.A. Reid promised to stand right by him, and Freddie left with four yeses 💪.
