“The Voice” Contestant Battling Terminal Cancer Shares Impressive Bucket List Item He’s Crossed Off

It’s always nice to get updates on previous contestants of hit talent shows. That being said, the news from this former The Voice contestant is particularly devastating: Matt Snook has terminal cancer. More specifically, he has been diagnosed with renal cell sarcomatoid carcinoma. According to the country singer himself, this is “an incurable and rare kidney disease.” Needless to say, this has drastically change his life.

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Matt first noticed signs of this disease in January 2023. This is when his breathing problems, along with a persistent cough, began. He officially received his diagnosis in January. His doctors have given him six to 12 months to live. Still, Matt takes every single day he has left in stride. With this news, fans are taking the time to remember his incredible audition of Red Dirt Road by Brooks & Dunn, the song that got him on Blake Shelton’s team in Season 8.

“Singing publicly for me is probably over,” Matt shares. “I don’t have the energy or stamina to perform.”

Although Matt no longer has the energy to sing, he’s still determined to make other dreams come true. In addition to a love for music, Matt is also passionate about poker. He’s been a huge fan of Texas Hold’em since he was 21. So much so, in fact, that he had already planned to step back from music in 2024 to take on the national poker tour circuits.

Although Matt can’t entirely follow through with those plans, he still made his dream come true. On Saturday, July 6, Matt competed in the 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.

“[This] is probably going to be one of my last hoorahs to play a tournament,” Matt admits.

Although this news is devastating for both Matt and his loved ones, he wants everyone to know that he is oh-so grateful for the live he’s been given and whatever time he has left.

“Poker players know that poker is a grind and life is a grind,” he says. “But I don’t want anybody feeling sorry for me. I don’t want any empathy. I’ve just lived a blessed life and I’m glad to be here.”

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