Regina Belle Mourns Death of 'A Whole New World' Collaborator Peabo Bryson After Spending Time with Him in the Hospital

Daniela AvilaWed, June 3, 2026 at 7:35 PM UTC

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Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
Credit: Harmony Japan, Courtesy of Regina Belle -

Regina Belle shared a heartfelt tribute to Peabo Bryson, calling him her "official duet partner" and close friend

Belle visited Bryson in the hospital after his stroke and sang their iconic duet "A Whole New World" to him

Bryson, known for Grammy-winning Disney duets, died on Tuesday, June 2

Peabo Bryson will forever have a friend in Regina Belle.

One day after Bryson died on Tuesday, June 2, Belle — who collaborated with Bryson on the Disney classic "A Whole New World" — released a heartfelt statement speaking to their work, friendship and his legacy.

"Peabo Bryson was like a brother to me. We shared a special musical and spiritual bond developed through our love of music, family and community," Belle, 62, said of Bryson, whom she met at Rutgers University in New Jersey over 30 years ago, before she signed her recording contract.

Regina Belle and Peabo Bryson
Credit: Leon Bennett/FilmMagic; Robin L Marshall/FilmMagic

In the statement, Belle said that she visited Bryson in the hospital a few days after his stroke on Sunday, May 31 and spent some time with him and his family.

"During my quiet time with Peabo, I held his hand and sang in a whisper, 'A Whole New World' and 'Total Praise,' our version of the song that Peabo and I recorded," she said. "The hardest part of this moment is knowing that I will never be able to sing again with the person who helped me create such magic."

Describing their friendship, Belle said that Bryson was "far more than a legendary artist" to her — and someone who left "an indelible mark on my life and career."

"From the moment I first heard his music as a young girl, I was captivated by the beauty, warmth, and power of his voice," she said. "Years later, I had the extraordinary privilege of not only sharing the stage and recording studio with him, but also sharing a friendship built on mutual respect, trust, and genuine affection."

She added, "I considered Peabo my official duet partner. His virtuosity as a world-class vocalist was second to none. As musicians, we had similar musical taste. I was fortunate to collaborate with him on four projects."

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Belle concluded her statement by noting that while her "heart is broken" by this death, she finds "comfort in knowing that the music we created together will live on."

"Even when I am gone, a part of me will continue to live through the music we made together, just as a part of Peabo will continue to live in the hearts of everyone he touched through his extraordinary gift," she said.

Peabo Bryson in Sterling Heights, Mich. in June 2022
Credit: Scott Legato/Getty

Bryson died just days after suffering a stroke at age 75.

The Grammy-winning singer was known for a string of R&B hits, including 1992's "A Whole New World" — which became the first song from an animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — and "Beauty and the Beast" with Céline Dion.

Hours after his death, Dion, 58, shared a touching tribute to Bryson on her Instagram Stories and reflected on recording their beloved 1991 duet, which earned the pair a Grammy Award and became one of Disney's most enduring songs.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Bryson's family said they were "tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world."

"While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit," the statement continued. "His legacy and music will live on for generations to come."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”