Anthony Riley, a former contestant on The Voice, has died at 28-years-old. The talented Philadelphia street performer was found in the basement of his apartment after he took his own life Friday.
Riley was a season 8 fan favorite from the moment he stepped onto the stage for his Voice Blind Audition. He earned the fastest four-chair turn-around in the show’s history, as all the coaches battled to have him on their team. Anthony chose to go with coach Pharrell Williams. However, the frontrunner left the competition abruptly in March, with his coach saying only that he withdrew for “personal reasons.”
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Riley was quiet immediately following his departure, but as rumors surfaced as to the reason he walked away, he decided to come forward. He opened up to the Philadelphia Inquirer about his long-time struggle with substance abuse. He also said he went public with his battle in hopes of inspiring others to overcome their challenges and pursue their dreams no matter what.
“One of the reasons I’m proud of being of a Philadelphian is that we all have our own struggle, no matter what you do, no matter how far down you go, you can always make a comeback. I just hope someone hears this message. It’s not worth pursuing anything other than your dreams.”
Anthony said the loneliness and long hours during the competition were difficult for him. When he realized it may be more than he could handle, he reached out to The Voice producers for help. Riley then returned home and completed a rehab program. He was working on an album and writing new music, which he said back in March, would be fueled by his experience.
Friend and fellow musician, Robby Parsons, said Riley had a kind heart and wanted to make others happy, but never found happiness for himself.
“He’d had his problems recently. But at the heart of all that was a very kind, gentle person. He smiled and he meant it.”
Sawyer Fredricks, fellow Voice contestant and Team Pharrell member, expressed his sorrow on his Facebook page today.
“This is incredibly sad. Anthony was one of the greatest singers and entertainers I’ve ever known personally. My mom and I want to send love and condolences to his family. Such a very sad loss.”
Riley’s older sister, Halima Miley, told the Inquirer how much he was adored by the community. Anthony’s father encouraged him to pursue music after the loss his mother when he was just 19-years-old. Miley said the city also became part of the Philadelphia Magazine Street Performer of the Year’s “family.”
“The city was his family. Everybody knew him, he couldn’t walk two steps without someone saying, ‘Anthony, how you doin’?’ The public loved him.”
On his site, Anthony said performing was his way of spreading “love and positivity.”
“It’s just in my heart, to always, always, always spread a message of love and positivity…and what better way to do it than to perform?”
via theinquisitr.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9gAl7ir8qo
How sad, what a waste of a life. 28 seems so young. Rest in peace.
Sad. R.I.P
this is why People shouldn’t do realty TV!!
it re-opens old wombs, remember last year a Black Chick did this very same thing!!
people are afraid of rejection when it’s on tv is humiliating
Yep
mentally Black Men are stronger than White Men, because White Men have a weaker mind set than Black Men
but when Black Men are pushed too damn far then, They will commit suicide.
another Black Man from another competition show committed suicide 2 or 3 years ago, He took part in Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon
Ramsay. if a Black chef sweared as much Gordon does, He’s show would be taken off the air (white privilege at it’s finest)
AND deez nuts
never watchned hells kitchen.
real from those damn ho ass I love new York and I love money and real chance of love died too.
dr. drew worried cause too many of his patients was dying off on cel.ebrity rehab cancel;led it.
sad that dr. drew even said if they refused treatment they dioe.
This is a blood sacrifice. We all know black men don’t commit suicide right?
wrong my cousin disgusted cause his uncle molested him shot himself but he survived but him and his brothers got payback on their uncle and wooped his ass big time for that when they was kids.
my cousin was shot down and killed later on by a guy for apparent reasons.
Don’t quite understand why he would kill himself. It seemed that he had a great future in the music business. Which is what he always wanted. Maybe something happened between him and Pharrell. U never know.
Who cares
yes black men commit suicide or at least think about it.
whites on the other hand they better not lose a job or a girlfriend they’ll come and short the whole school or the wsorkplace up.
all these depressed kids in school actually be hypnotizing themselves to kill by looking up websites about satan, and hitler, witchcraft which explains the Virginia tech massacre that Asian dude was checking out satan.
just like the trenchcoat mafia they was looking up satan, and hitler.
just like james holmes that idiot was checking out devil websites these whiteboys need some p*ssy bad if they was getting p*ssy they probably wouldn’t have had time to even think about shooting people.
Chris You ARE crazy as hell in a funny way, but you are always 100% right with your pronouncements. If white boys were getting p*ssy, there would never be another school shooting again. FACT.