‘The Voice’ Star Beverly McClellan Has Died At Age 49

Beverly McClellan, who was a contestant on the first season of “The Voice,” has died at the age of 49 following a long battle with cancer. McClellan came in fourth place on the singing competition show and was part of judge Christina’s Aguilera’s team.

“It is with great sadness I have to share the news that we lost Beverly today,” McClellan’s publicist said in a statement on Oct. 30. “She was a wonderful, funny, complicated, and incredibly talented young woman who touched millions with her voice and her huge heart. I am honored to have been her manager and her friend. Please keep her spirit alive by sharing her music and all the wonderful memories you have of her.”

A GoFundMe page set up by the family to help pay for her medical treatments indicates that McClellan had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer that spread to her bladder, colon and intestines. She was surrounded by loved ones, including her wife, Monique Vasquez, at the time of her death.

“I feel like I’m waking up in a dream every day and I don’t ever want it to go away because it’s the best ever,” McClellan told People when she made it to the final four of “The Voice” in 2011. “I just want to keep shooting for the moon.”

McClellan wowed audiences and judges alike with her performances of famous songs like “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin, the B.B. King hit, “The Thrill Is Gone” and “Beautiful” by her coach on the show, Christina Aguilera.

The show paid tribute to McClellan with an Instagram post that read: “The only thing greater than Beverly McClellan’s voice was her heart.”

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Nakia, McClellan’s fellow contestant on “The Voice,” took to Twitter to pay tribute to his late friend:

“I am absolutely heartbroken,” he wrote alongside a video of the two performing together. “My dear friend & fellow S1 @NBCTheVoice alum, @beverlyshane has died. Truly a unique soul with a beautiful heart, full of passion & an amazing talent.”

We’re sending our deepest condolences to McClellan’s friends and family during this difficult time.