Kailia Posey, the "Toddlers and Tiaras" star and actress Kailia Posey died at the age of 16, her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, announced on Facebook Monday. The next day, the family posted that Kailia had died of suicide.
According to NBC News, the family's statement said that although she was an accomplished teenager and had a promising future, she made a rash decision to end her life. The family added that she won countless crowns and trophies after competing on the pageant circuit. She was a highly acclaimed contortionist and already had professional touring offers. She has recently been selected as a cheerleader at her high school next fall.
The Washington police investigated the death earlier, but they could not disclose the details as the victim is a minor. On Monday, her mom's post asked for privacy as they mourn for Kailia.
Talented beauty queen
As per Page Six, the star celebrated her 16th birthday a week earlier. Posey was a young star on the TLC reality series from 2009 to 2013. It featured families who prepared their children to compete in beauty pageants.
Posey's mother said that Kailia began competing in pageants at three. Her mom said she was a pro on-stage. She would initially say that she is nervous but is a pro once she gets onstage. She produced a viral GIF of an adorable toddler grinning for the professional camera giving a devilish grin.
In her teens, she kept up with the pageant circuit. She was also interested in body contortion and had an account dedicated solely to the hobby. She would often exhibit her highly-skilled moves during talent portions of the pageants she attended. She has performed with Cirque du Soleil.
Posey continued her passion for pageantry. She eventually ventured into acting, playing Agness in the Netflix horror movie Eli which was shown in 2018.
In February this year, she participated in the Miss Teen Washington pageant. Her recent picture showed her attending her high school prom in Washington. She dreamed of studying aviation in college in the hope of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Posey also made it into the Dean's List for excelling academically in the school year 2020/2021.
Heartfelt tribute
The Toddler and Kiara star received an overwhelming tribute from co-workers, friends, and family. Among those who paid their respects was America's Got Talent magician Kadan Bart Rockett, who posted that he could not believe she died as he prayed for the family. He said Posey was always so kind to them, the Irish Mirror reports.
A pageant-speaking coach who has worked with her also posted that she may have experienced a lot of loss in life, "but this loss stings differently" as Kailia was one of the funniest young ladies she had coached.
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