Singer and vocal coach Debra Byrd has passed away at the age of 72.

Byrd, who was known for her work on hit shows like The Voice and American Idol, died at her home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Although the exact cause of her death remains unconfirmed, many celebrities have shared their heartfelt tributes to her legacy.

Longtime friend and collaborator Barry Manilow was among the first to express his sorrow. In a deeply emotional social media post, he wrote, “I’ve never been so sad in my life. I just can’t fathom the thought of Debra not being with me anymore. She was one of the best friends I ever had. My love, I will always miss you.”

Byrd worked with many famous artists throughout her career, including Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, and Bob Dylan. Jennifer Hudson, who gained fame after making it to the finals of American Idol in 2004 with Byrd as her coach, shared her condolences on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Heartbroken over the passing of Debra Byrd, the vocal coach on American Idol.

From the start, she gave us hope and support! It’s amazing how much she taught us. She will be missed very much, but her music lives on through the work of many artists she inspired during her lifetime. Rest in peace, Debra.”

Clay Aiken, another American Idol alum, also shared his memories, praising her dedication to the contestants. “No one was a better mentor, coach, teacher, or champion to us Idol contestants than Byrd was. Her presence made many people’s lives better, and I feel so lucky to have met her and become friends with her.”

Debra Byrd’s Career:
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Byrd attended Kent State University, where she honed her craft at the Karamu and Dobama Theaters. After graduating, she joined Barry Manilow’s band as a backup singer and performed on his 1976 hit, “Street Singin’” with Ladyflash, which reached the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Byrd spent 10 seasons on American Idol before transitioning to The Voice, where she guided and supported contestants. Her career also saw her collaborate with iconic artists like Bob Dylan during his Hard to Handle tour in Australia in the mid-1980s. Byrd worked with Dylan, Stevie Nicks, and Tom Petty on the song “Band of the Hand” and made her mark on films such as Sister Act II, The Lion King 1½, and The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.

In 2018, she sang in the choir for the Academy Award-nominated song Mighty River. Her extensive career also included a role in vocal production for NBC’s 2019 Super Bowl tribute to Prince.

Later in life, Byrd returned to academia as the chair of the vocal department at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, where she continued to inspire and mentor future generations of artists.