Former The Voice Kids star Karen Silva has died aged 17.
The singer, who reached the semi-finals on the Brazilian version of the hit show in 2020 when she was just 12 years old, passed away early on Thursday morning from a haemorrhagic stroke.
In a statement on her Instagram post translated into English, it’s said she suffered bleeding into the brain following a ruptured blood vessel.
The post reads: ‘It is with deep sadness that we announced the death of the young singer Karen Silva, aged 17, occurred after days of hospitalization at São João Batista Hospital, in Volta Redonda, as a result of a hemorrhagic stroke.
‘Karen enchanted Brazil with her powerful voice and striking presence even in childhood, when she participated in The Voice Kids in 2020.
‘Since then, she has followed a luminous path, uniting talent, charisma and representation at every step.’
She has been hailed as a ‘symbol of empowerment, especially for Black girls who found in her inspiration and strength to dream’.
The post continued: ‘Her music, her message and her joy leave a deep mark on all who met her and followed her journey.
‘In this moment of great pain, we send our solidarity to her parents, Manoella and Fernando, with friends family and fans.
‘May the memory of your light continue to guide us.’
On Monday, just days before her tragic death, her Instagram account revealed she was ‘facing a health problem’ and ‘under medical care, with the support and affection of her family and team’.
The post added: ‘We ask for respect, empathy and prayers as she recovers peacefully. Any updates will be made by our official channels We thank everyone for the love.’
She is survived by her parents Manoella and Fernando, and her boyfriend Marcelo.
Her father told local media that she should ‘no signs of illness’ before her sudden turn.
‘She left home to have lunch on Friday, and three hours later she was in a coma,’ he said, revealing they had ‘big plans’ for 2025.
He added: ‘For her, her clothing brand, new songs for her album. To know my daughter passed like this, it hurts so much. It still hasn’t sunk in.’
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