Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
‘The Voice’ finalist McClellan dies at 49
South Florida rocker Beverly McClellan, who was a finalist on the first season of “The Voice” has died of cancer. She was 49.
McClellan died shortly after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in San Diego while in hospice care, according to her family.
“She was surrounded by so much love and we shared some beautiful last days,” her wife Monique Garcia McClellan shared on Facebook. “Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of us. We appreciate all of the love you have given and the good vibes you have sent.”
In March, McClellan, a resident of Hollywood, Fla., was diagnosed with stage three endometrial cancer that had spread to her bladder, colon and intestines, according to a GoFundMe page that was created to help pay her medical bills. She had been getting treatment at CHIPSA Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico and then more recently in San Diego, her family said.
McClellan was a regular performer on the Fort Lauderdale club scene for more than two decades. Her Facebook description reads, “I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL SO PUT ANOTHER DIME IN THE JUKEBOX BABY,’’ a nod to the 1981 Joan Jett hit.
Fans of NBC’s “The Voice” may remember McClellan for her soulful rock performances in the first season of the talent competition. She impressed judges with her blind audition of “Piece of My Heart.” She competed on Christina Aguilera’s team and made it to the final four.
“I made FINAL 4 & since then I am blessed to share my music with the world!” she wrote on her Twitter profile.
Competitor Javier Colon, who was on Adam Levine’s team, won the inaugural season.
Nakia, a semifinalist on her
season, shared on Twitter that McClellan was “truly a unique soul with a beautiful heart, full of passion & an amazing talent.”
The reality show also posted a note about her death on Instagram.
“The only thing greater than Beverly McClellan’s voice was her heart. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and fans during this difficult time,” the post read.
On social media, fans and friends posted tributes to the singer.
“Bev always loved performing at Palm Beach Pride...and Palm Beach Pride always loved her back,’’ wrote Compass, a Lake Worth non-profit that works to change stereotypes about the LGBTQ community. “Your soulful spirit and voice will be missed here and around the world, rest in peace Bev.”
“My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Beverly McClellan. May her music & soul live on in your hearts,’’ wrote Janice Sherrieff, of St. Petersburg, Florida, on a Legacy.com page.
“RIP in Bev. Never forget you playing in Kate’s kitchen after Hurricane Wilma,” wrote Holly Morrison of Fort Lauderdale, on Legacy.com. “You will always have a place in my heart.”
There will be a private celebration of McClellan’s life with family and friends in South Florida, said Noel Oliver, her sister.