Talia Castellano, the 13-year-old CoverGirl who inspired hundreds of thousands with her wit and spirit, has died following a long fight with neuroblastoma.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share with all of you that Talia has earned her wings at 11:22am,” announced a message posted on Talia’s Facebook page this morning. “Please lift her beautiful soul, her beautiful light to heaven and please send your love and prayers to her family during this most difficult time.”
Diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was seven years old, Talia refused to let the cancer set the tone for her life. Instead, she attracted nearly one million subscribers on YouTube with her make-up tutorials. Her most popular video, “May Favorites,” earned more than 8.5 million views.
“I feel if someone’s looking at me, they’re looking at my makeup, not looking at my bald head,” she explained last year. “I am just trying to make young girls, young adults, adults, anyone, feel beautiful by using makeup.”
Talia even attracted the attention of celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen was so inspired by Talia’s story that she invited her to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
“There’s a depth to your soul that is not a 13-year-old soul,” Ellen said. “You’re an old soul and you are very special and amazing, and I’m so honored that you wanted to meet me and that I got to meet you.”
Ellen, who is a CoverGirl, also surprised the teen with her own advertisement.
Talia’s troubles were compounded last summer when she was diagnosed with leukemia in addition to neuroblastma. Doctors estimated she only had four to 12 months to live. Incredibly, Talia remained positive until the end.
“I’ve gotten so many benefits from (cancer),” she said last year. “Having a YouTube channel, (inspiring) people and having people look up to me… The journey of having cancer was amazing. But every journey has an end.”
