Jennifer Hudson Says She’s ‘Heartbroken’ Over Death of American Idol Voice Coach Debra Byrd at 72

Jennifer Hudson mourns death American Idol voice coach Debra Byrd at the age of 72.

Deadline reported that Byrd died in Los Angeles on Tuesday, without specifying a cause of death or location.

The voice coach continued to work American Idol ten seasons, and he also worked as a coach in shows such as Vote, Canadian Idol, A military idolas well as Major and minor.

She also helped train singers including Kelly Clarkson and Barry Manilow alongside Hudson, whom she recommended for the role of Effie White in the 2006 film. dream girls, according to a British newspaper The Independent.

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Simon Cowell (L) and Debra Byrd (R).

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“Heartbroken over the passing of American Idol vocal coach Debra Byrd,” Hudson, 42, wrote in an Instagram post dedicated to Byrd on Wednesday. “She encouraged and supported us from the very beginning!”

“I am so grateful for everything she taught us,” added the singer. “ We will miss her dearly, but her legacy lives on through the music of the countless artists she influenced during her lifetime. Rest in peace, Debra.”

Hudson’s also included a headshot of Byrd along with a throwback video of the pair American Idoland Byrd Hudson said she “had to get rid of the jaws of the gospel.”

“Your homework is to stand in that mirror, I want you to physically hold your jaw,” Byrd said in the video.

In the last photo, Byrd and Hudson are standing next to the piano that Elton John played on.

Debra Byrd on American Idol Live in March 2003.

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Manilow, 80, also wrote a tribute to X (formerly known as Twitter) by sharing a throwback picture of the two.

“This is one of the saddest days of my life,” the singer wrote. “I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that Debra is no longer with me. She was one of the most wonderful friends I’ve ever had.”

“I will miss you forever, my love. -Barry Manilow,” he concluded.

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Source: HIS Education