How did Josh Sanders' son die? 'The Voice' Season 25 star finds solace amid tragedy through music

Josh Sanders tragically lost his son Leelynd, who was born prematurely at just 23 weeks in March of 2020
PUBLISHED FEB 27, 2024
'The Voice' contestant Josh Sanders sings 'Whiskey on You' in his Blind Audition (X/@NBCTheVoice)
'The Voice' contestant Josh Sanders sings 'Whiskey on You' in his Blind Audition (X/@NBCTheVoice)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After a hiatus from the music industry, Josh Sanders recently made a triumphant return to the country genre on the singing competition show 'The Voice' Season 25.

Despite facing personal struggles, including the heartbreaking loss of his baby son named Leelynd, Josh impressed both Reba McEntire and Dan + Shay with his performance of 'Whiskey On You.'

Josh Sanders tragically lost his son Leelynd, who was born prematurely at just 23 weeks in March of 2020. This heartbreaking event occurred on the occasion of Josh's birthday.

Sadly, Leelynd's fragile health led to his untimely death shortly after his birth, leaving Josh and his family to grapple with the immense pain of losing a child. The loss of Leelynd has undoubtedly left a profound impact on Josh and those closest to him, forever changing their lives and leaving a void that can never be filled.

Josh is a proud father of five, a talented musician who captivates audiences with his melodious tunes, and an esteemed spiritual leader. He serves as the head pastor of Living Grace Church in the bustling city of Kannapolis, North Carolina.

'The Voice' Season 25 contestant Josh Sanders performs a rendition of 'Whiskey On You' (X/@NBCTheVoice)
'The Voice' Season 25 contestant Josh Sanders performs a rendition of 'Whiskey On You' (X/@NBCTheVoice)

Whom did Josh Sanders pick as his mentor on 'The Voice'?

'The Voice' contestant Josh Sanders picked Reba McEntire as his coach (X/@NBCTheVoice)
'The Voice' contestant Josh Sanders picked Reba McEntire as his coach (X/@NBCTheVoice)

Reba acknowledged Josh's vocal prowess, while Shay commended him for taking on a challenging song. Despite the tough decision of choosing between the two music icons, Josh ultimately decided to go with Reba McEntire, knowing that his wife would approve of his choice to work with the Queen of Country.

Did Josh Sanders win 'American Idol' Season 11?

'The Voice' contestant Josh Sanders participated in 'American Idol' Season 11 (X/@NBCTheVoice)
'The Voice' contestant Josh Sanders participated in 'American Idol' Season 11 (X/@NBCTheVoice)

Josh is a seasoned contender in the realm of singing competitions, having successfully obtained coveted golden tickets on two separate occasions during his time on 'American Idol.'

His first triumph came in Season 11 back in 2012, and he once again impressed the judges in Season 14 in 2015, solidifying his status as a standout talent in the music industry.

During Season 11 of the show, Josh was featured on television showcasing his talent by performing Elvis Presley's hit song "Burning Love' alongside a talented group that included Caleb Johnson, who would go on to win Season 13.

Despite making it to the final stages of Hollywood Week in both seasons, Josh unfortunately faced elimination before reaching the live shows. 

Josh's father, Darren, who was a Baptist preacher, unfortunately, passed away in the year 2013. From a young age, he introduced his son to music through church involvement.

By the time he turned 8, his son was already showcasing his musical talent by singing and playing various instruments like drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards during church services.

At the time of his initial audition for Idol, Josh was a 23-year-old frontman for the southern rock band Preacher Stone. During his second audition, he was still involved in secular music and simultaneously held the position of music leader at Mission Baptist Church in Locust, N.C.

Which group got a four-chair turn in 'The Voice' Season 25?

Oklahoma trio OK3 scores 4-chair turn in 'The Voice' Season 25 (Instagram/officialok3)
Oklahoma trio OK3 scores 4-chair turn in 'The Voice' Season 25 (Instagram/@officialok3)

OK3, a talented pop trio hailing from the vibrant city of Oklahoma City, has quickly risen to fame and garnered immense praise for their unparalleled vocal harmonies, electrifying stage presence, and perfectly synchronized choreography.

Their remarkable performance during the blind audition for the highly anticipated 25th season of the renowned singing competition, 'The Voice,' has left audiences in awe.

Offering a sneak peek into the upcoming season, viewers were treated to the awe-inspiring sight of all four coaches turning their chairs in unison, or perhaps even all five coaches, depending on how you choose to interpret it.

OK3 captivated the judges and viewers alike with their captivating rendition of Meghan Trainor's chart-topping hit, "Made You Look," adding their own unique and delightful twist to the beloved track.

'The Voice' Season 25 airs at 7 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. The episodes will be available on Peacock on demand the next day. The streaming site also includes entire episodes from the show's prior seasons.

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