My friend Stevie Ryan has died at age 33.
“Currently crying because I found out my YouTube friend and someone I have looked up to for over 10 years, Stevie Ryan, committed suicide this weekend.
A lot of you know my brother Justin committed suicide 10 years ago last month. That summer, Stevie Ryan hosted a YouTube video contest in costume as “Little Loca,” one of her many characters. The topic was “Who or what inspires you the most?”
I did my video about my brother and his huge trip around the world he completed not too long before he died. The video was posted under 2 weeks after his suicide. The real life Stevie Ryan, not the character, reached out with an extravagant Edible Arrangement, and a thoughtful and touching card. She also awarded me the grand prize including an original piece of art. When people accused me of faking my brother’s suicide for attention, she vehemently defended me and shamed her own hateful audience, something barely any celebrities or politicians dare do now, even when it’s right.
This is why fundraisers like the one we did for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention last month are so important. Together we raised $510. That may seem small but it is huge. Especially for a topic and organization that is so totally made taboo by the public and media, who largely pretend doesn’t exist, beyond a television storyline
Stevie Ryan was an accomplished and hilarious, young, beautiful comedian, but she was also a GREAT PERSON and someone I was proud to call a friend. We still casually kept in touch on Twitter and such prior to her death. .
Devastated and wishing her family and friends and fans all the best. 😢❤️ RIP my love, I will never ever ever forget you your talent or your kindness...”