B.A.P.S. star Natalie Desselle-Reid tragically passed away from colon cancer on December
7, 2020, at age 53.
The unfortunate news was shared via the star's Instagram account, with the message reading
in part,
"She was a bright light in this world.
A queen.
An extraordinary mother and wife.
Her diverse career touched so many and she will be loved forever.
Naturally, we are grieving and processing this profound loss and we thank you in advance
for respecting our privacy at this extremely difficult time."
Reid is probably best known for her roles in the series Eve and an entry in Tyler Perry's
Madea franchise, Madea's Big Happy Family.
And, of course, the hit comedy B.A.P.S. with Halle Berry.
In B.A.P.S., or Black American Princesses, Desselle-Reid plays a Georgia waitress by
the name of Mickey, who somehow finds herself caring for an elderly millionaire on his sprawling
estate in Los Angeles.
Berry plays Nisi, Mickey's friend and co-worker.
The two team up to try to make enough money to open a combo hair salon and restaurant.
Hijinks naturally ensue.
"Lead the way, Alfred."
"Who is Alfred?"
"You know.
Batman's homeboy."
Reid also starred in a racially diverse version of the Disney classic Cinderella in which
she played the role of Minerva, one of Cinderella's evil stepsisters.
Desselle-Reid leaves behind a husband, Leonard, as well as three children: Sereno, Summer,
and Sasha.
The star also touched many lives, as evidenced by the reactions on social media.
Desselle-Reid's B.A.P.S. co-star Halle Berry was deeply saddened by the star's death.
USA Today reported that Berry was, quote, "in total shock" and "completely heartbroken
once she learned the news."
Berry also took to Instagram to process her thoughts and emotions.
Along with a video of her and her fellow actress hugging while on set, Berry penned the caption,
"Completely heartbroken.
gonna need a minute.
#RIP"
Berry had posted a similar video of the two shopping on Rodeo Drive only four days prior
to Desselle-Reid's death.
One user commented,
"You do know there is a whole generation of us that are obsessed with this movie."
Berry simply responded,
"I do and I love you all for that.
this film is very dear to my heart."
Desselle-Reid is not the only high-profile celebrity to pass away from colon cancer in
2020.
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman also passed away from the disease in August 2020 at age
43 after his hard-fought four-year battle with the illness.
People reports that colon cancer cases in young adults are on the rise.
During an interview with the New York Times, Rebecca L. Siegel, scientific director of
surveillance research at the American Cancer Society, theorized that systemic racism could
have something to do with the rise in deaths.
She said,
"It's because of later-stage diagnosis, it's because of systemic racism and all that this
population has been dealing with for hundreds of years."
The American Cancer Society now recommends that all adults over the age of 45 get routine
colon cancer screenings.
Dr. Kimmie Ng told Today,
"Further research really needs to be done to understand what are the underlying causes
and can we know who is at highest risk and target them for earlier screening."
Just one day before her death, Desselle-Reid shared a touching message on Instagram.
It was a graphic that read,
"Sunday is the perfect day to refuel your soul and to be grateful for each and every
one of your blessings."
She accompanied the image with a caption of her own, writing with a yellow heart emoji,
"Remember, you are Blessed!
Refuel your Soul."
Upon hearing the news, many people in the entertainment industry took to social media
to express their condolences and pay tribute to the actor.
Desselle-Reid's manager, Dolores Robinson, wrote on Twitter,
"Natalie was a bright light.
She was an amazing actress and comedienne but also an awesome mother & wife."
Robinson's daughter, actress Holly Robinson Peete, echoed her mothers sentiments in a
post.
"Just absolutely decimated by this news...Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed
away this morning.
I got to know her when my mom was managing her.
She will be so missed...sending out prayers to her children and husband.
Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl."
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the friends and family of Natalie Desselle-Reid during
this difficult time.