Last week, tributes from fans and celebrities alike poured in for The Voice contestant Janice Freeman.
The 33-year-old singer was remembered for competing on season 13 of the reality show, when she was coached by singer Miley Cyrus. Already a cervical cancer survivor living with lupus, Freeman impressed the show's judges as a determined woman with a real musical gift.
Freeman's family shared the sad news in a statement on her Instagram account:
We are heartbroken to report that Janice Marie Freeman passed away on March 2, 2019 from an extreme case of pneumonia and a blood clot that traveled to her heart. While at home her husband Dion performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. She passed away at a local hospital shortly after.A survivor and fighter, and a beautiful force in this world, Janice gained notoriety through her success on NBC's The Voice as a member of Miley Cyrus's team. Her story inspired fans nationwide, having successfully battled cervical cancer and living her life to the fullest while fighting lupus.
In the years since Freeman left the show, she had remained close with her celebrity coach, and even revealed that Cyrus had found her a place to live.
"Thank you ALL but [Miley Cyrus] found us placement until we found permanent housing, gave me the deposit, covered me for six months so I can get on my feet!" Freeman wrote.
"[Miley] you are one of my closest friends and what you did for me and my family I'm praying GOD gives you the desire of your heart!"
Cyrus was obviously heartbroken by Freeman's death, and shared a tribute to the singer on her own Instagram account.
"Thank you [Janice]... for everything," Cyrus wrote on a photo of a rainbow. "This represents you perfectly."
Now, Cyrus has revealed her promise to look after the late singer's 12-year-old daughter Hannah.
In an Instagram post on Monday, featuring a video of Cyrus and Freeman, the singer wrote that she "made a promise to you here on earth and will keep that promise as you watch from heaven."
"To take care of your precious little girl, my baby sister. To shine light on your husband and mother when days are dark!"
Earlier the same day, Cyrus shared even more of her feelings in a separate, emotional Instagram post.
"I miss you so much it hurts. Everywhere ..... but so did you. So often," she wrote to Freeman. "So much pain and no one would ever notice because of the smile and joy you constantly radiated."
"All those texts I would receive, just of you saying that your (sic) praying for ME," Cyrus added. "How you were so selfless I'll never understand. The way you found the good in everything."
Cyrus went on to reveal that she planned to create a record label just to feature Freeman, and still plans to release some of the late singer's music in the future.
"Everyone got it so wrong on our season together of The Voice because no matter what has been recorded or remembered YOU won my angel," she wrote. Freeman finished in 11th place in her season while Chloe Kohanski won.
"You are not only the best singer that show has ever had the honor of having on that stage but the best ---- singer in the world."
Cyrus won't be the only one looking after Hannah. Freeman is survived by her husband Dion, her mother, and several siblings.
[H/T: USA Today]
