Debra Byrd Dies at 72: ‘Heartbroken’ Jennifer Hudson Leads Tribute to Beloved American Idol Vocal Coach Who Helped Launch Her Career, Along with Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia
- Byrd also appeared on Canadian Idol, Military Idol and Majors and Minors
- Hudson, Barry Manilow and Clay Aiken among those charged with memorial service
- Byrd’s cause of death was not released
Debra Byrd, a singer and music professional who appeared as a vocal coach on TV shows such as American Idol and The Voice, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 72.
Byrd has also appeared on programs such as Canadian Idol, Military Idol, Majors and Minors in her television career.
Byrd’s cause of death has not been released, he said Deadline.
She had worked with some of the top names in music for generations, including Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia, as well as Bob Dylan and Barry Manilow.
Hudson, 42, and Manilow, 80, were among Byrd’s peers who offered their condolences Wednesday as news of her death spread.
Debra Byrd, a singer and music professional who appeared as a singing coach on TV shows such as American Idol and The Voice, died Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 72. Pictured in 2011 in LA
Byrd had worked with some of the music world’s top names for generations, including Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia, as well as Bob Dylan and Barry Manilow
“Heartbroken by the passing of American Idol vocal coach Debra Byrd,” Hudson said on Twitter/X. ‘She has encouraged and supported us from the start!
“I am so grateful for everything she has taught us. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on in the music of countless artists she influenced during her lifetime.”
She concluded by writing, “Rest in peace, Debra.”
Manilow said: ‘This is one of the saddest days of my life. I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that Debra is no longer with me.”
He continued, “She was one of the most wonderful friends I ever had. I will miss you forever, my love.”
American Idol alumnus Clay Aiken, 45, praised Byrd’s skills as a leader of young singers in a statement.
“I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that no one was a better mentor, coach, teacher or champion for us Idol contestants than Byrd,” Aiken said, according to the outlet. “No one spent time with us anymore.
“I’ll never forget her telling us how to look straight into the camera and connect with the audience at home. She was a light in so many lives. I’m so lucky to call her a friend.’
Byrd, who also appeared on shows such as Canadian Idol, Military Idol, Majors and Minors during her television career, was photographed in LA in April 2011.
Byrd was pictured in LA with Simon Crowell at an American Idol event in 2003
Byrd was spotted at an International Women’s Day event in LA in March 2022
Jennifer Hudson said she was ‘heartbroken’ over Byrd’s death and said ‘her legacy lives on’
Manilow described Byrd as ‘one of the most wonderful friends I’ve ever had’
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Byrd attended Kent State University and honed her craft at the Karamu and Dobama Theaters, the outlet reported.
She was a member of Manilow’s backup group Ladyflash, which had a top 30 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1976 with the song “Street Singin,” which Manilow wrote and arranged.