Saturday morning, I was in the middle of scrolling through Facebook like I usually do until I was hit with news that truly broke my heart. Christina Grimmie was pronounced dead. After her final show on June 10, 2016 in Orlando, FL, Grimmie was greeting fans with her warm smile and personality when she was approached by a man who would soon become her killer. Assuming he was just another fan, she greeted him with an inviting hug, but within seconds, Christina had crumpled to the floor and her brother had jumped on the attacker. Grimmie was rushed to the hospital with critical wounds and sadly passed a few hours later on June 11.
When I saw the news, I figured there had to be some mistake. This couldn’t be the inspiration who I’d been following since the very beginning. Most well-known for her time on "The Voice," to me she had always been zeldaxlove64. From watching her become a blossoming vocalist to her announcing her sold out tours, it was an honor to have been a part of her journey. She was someone who radiated happiness and touched everyone she met with the same love and joy to each and every person who knew her, whether it was personally or by being a fan. Christina Grimmie began playing piano at the age of six and had been striving for nothing less than greatness. As a YouTube sensation, she was adored and loved by her millions of viewers for her covers of well know songs by popular artists. One collaboration which I remember I couldn’t stop watching of hers was with Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider. It was one of the most beautiful collaborations I had ever heard and while watching it back now, I can affirm that Christina Grimmie was nothing short of one of the most talented singers that I had come across.
From YouTube, she moved onwards to "The Voice" platform and no one was surprised when all four coaches turned their chairs around, indicating their awe and interest in this young voice. During her blind audition, Grimmie sung her rendition of Miley Cyrus’ "Wrecking Ball." After calling the singer “engaging and passionate,” Adam Levine said, “You’re more comfortable than I am up there, almost, and that is the moment where you realize that this person could be a huge star. I really believe that.” Grimmie went on to work with Adam as he coached her throughout the season and eventually, she secured third place on the show. Levine, as well as other celebrities including Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera, have expressed deep remorse and sentiment at the loss of their dear friend. Levine says he is "sad, shocked, and confused," and that this entire situation "just isn't fair."
Writing this article now, all I can say is that the world will forever be short of an inspiration who was taken too soon from us.
Christina, you will be dearly missed and your family, friends, and fans will make sure that your legacy lives on.
