Christina Grimmie, YouTube star and former contestant on The Voice USA, was tragically shot dead on Friday at a meet and greet with her fans. The 22-year-old had been supporting band Before You Exit on their US tour.
After her performance in Orlando, Florida, the singer was signing autographs for fans when an unconfirmed man shot her. The killer was then tackled by Grimmie’s brother before shooting and killing himself.
The Orlando Police Force confirmed her death on Twitter.
With deep regret, we have confirmed Christina Grimmie, @TheRealGrimmie has died from her injuries.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 11, 2016
Her rise to fame
Grimmie rose to fame on the video platform, YouTube, where she began posting covers of popular songs in 2009. After gaining a large internet following, she entered US show The Voice in 2014, placing third. She then embarked on tours around the world and continued to release songs, all while updating her fans on YouTube.
Her first viral video was a cover of Miley Cyrus’ ‘Party in the USA’ and her most viewed videos are the music video for her Disney collaboration hit ‘What A Girl Is’, as well as covers of Nelly’s ‘Just A Dream’ and David Guetta’s ‘Titanium’.
At the time of her death, she had 3.2 million YouTube subscribers.
In 2011, Grimmie released her first EP, Find Me, which reached number 25 in the US charts. This was followed by a studio album, With Love, in 2013. Her latest EP, Side A, was released earlier this year. She stated that this meant that another EP entitled, Side B, was likely in the future.
“A constant beam of light”
Twitter has been flooded with emotional tributes from friends, fans and stars, including Before You Exit, the band she was supporting, and her former mentor from The Voice, Adam Levine.
Today we lost an angel, sister, and a beloved friend. #RipChristina pic.twitter.com/EkwTKsaLFr
— Before You Exit⇞ (@beforeyouexit) June 11, 2016
Christina Grimmie was such a kind, generous person, and so talented. What a light has been taken from the world.
— John Green (@johngreen) June 11, 2016
Behati and I are absolutely devastated and heartbroken by Christina Grimmie’s death. Our hearts go out to her family pic.twitter.com/y4OMkm0uXu
— Adam Levine (@adamlevine) June 11, 2016
I’m in shock.. it’s been confirmed, but I know none of us want to believe it.. #PrayForChristina‘s family <3 May she be in a happier place.
— Tiffany Alvord (@TiffanyAlvord) June 11, 2016
The hashtags #PrayForChristina and #RIPChristina both trended on Twitter after the incident. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support her family.
