Sad news came out of the entertainment world on Monday, Dec. 7 when it was revealed that actor Natalie Desselle Reid had died at age 53 following a battle with colon cancer. Desselle Reid was known for her role as one of the step-sisters in 1997's Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, for playing Tammy in Madea's Big Happy Family, and for the TV Series Eve, on which she played Janie. But Desselle Reid's big breakout role was starring alongside Halle Berry in the 1997 movie B.A.P.S. In the wake of her death, Berry just posted a moving tribute to her co-star.
Read on to see what Berry shared in honor of the actor, along with tributes from other stars who were close to her. And for another heartbreaking tribute to an actor who died of the same disease, check out The Emotional Chadwick Boseman Tribute at the MTV Movie Awards.
Read the original article on Best Life.
The news of Desselle Reid's death was announced on her Instagram page, where she was honored as "a queen."
Natalie Desselle Reid/InstagramOn Monday, the news of Desselle's Reid death was shared in a post on her Instagram page. "It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning from colon cancer," someone close to her wrote on the account. "She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife."
The statement continued, "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."
Desselle Reid is survived by her husband, Leonard Reid, and her children, Summer, Sereno, and Sasha.
After the news broke, Berry shared a statement on Twitter. "I'll love you forever," she wrote.
Tinseltown/ShutterstockAfter the news came out, Berry posted a statement on Twitter alongside a photo of herself and Desselle Reid in B.A.P.S.
"I’m still processing this devastating news—and as I continue to read all of your kind words, memories of Natalie continue to flood back to me," Berry began. She then thanked B.A.P.S. director Robert Townsend for introducing them. "The second I met her out hearts here intertwined—we had a connection that was simply unexplainable, and she stayed her same sweet self all the years I knew her," Berry continued. She reminisced about how, with Desselle Reid, she "laughed harder than [she'd] ever laughed before."
"Natalie represented actual Black women, not what Black women are perceived to be," Berry wrote. "For that she was often underrated, passed over—deprived of the platform she truly deserved. But her life continues to shine through the people who grew up watching her, the people who knew her best and those of us who loved her.”
In response to the family's Instagram announcement, Berry also commented, "heartbroken. will love her and her memory my whole life. May God bless her family and beautiful children. rest softly my sweet friend." The Oscar-winning actor was just one of many who shared their memories and love for Desselle Reid.
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Brandy posted her own tribute.
F. S/AdMedia via ZUMA Wire/Alamy Stock PhotoBrandy, who starred as Cinderella alongside Desselle Reid in the 1997 adaptation of the classic Disney tale, posted about the actor on her Instagram account. "Rest in Paradise #NatalieDesselleReid," the singer wrote next to a photo of her co-star. "Sending my prayers to her family and all those that are hurting."
And so did Desselle Reid's co-star Eve.
Chris Chew / UPI / AlamyEve, who starred on the UPN sitcom that bore her name, also paid tribute to Desselle Reid, who played her friend on the series from 2003 to 2006. "Can’t believe it. Rest in Peace @nataliedessellereid," she wrote on Instagram with a photo of the late actor. "Thank you for your light and spirit. Prayers, peace and blessings. Please pray for her family."
Costume designer Ruth E. Carter spoke out about losing two friends to the same disease.
Tinseltown / Shutterstock.comRuth E. Carter won an Academy Award for designing the costumes for Black Panther, and she was also the costume designer for B.A.P.S., so Carter was close to Desselle Reid and also knew Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died in August also from colon cancer.
"For my dear friend Natalie Desselle Reid. You will never be forgotten," Carter captioned a video tribute to Boseman. "There are no words to express this sadness. First Chadwick and now Natalie. It’s time to raise awareness about this awful disease. Please watch this tribute for Chadwick that I now dedicate to my dear friend Natalie Desselle Reid." And for more on evaluating your own health, check out You Should Get Screened for Colon Cancer Earlier Than You Thought.
Desselle Reid also honored Boseman upon learning of his death.
DFree/ShutterstockWhen Boseman died, Desselle Reid shared an Instagram post about him. "He will never be forgotten!" she wrote. "Chadwick Boseman Rest In Peace Black King Heaven Forever!!!" It's unclear if she was already battling cancer at the time. And for more on Boseman's final role, check out Netflix Just Released a Trailer for Chadwick Boseman's Last Movie.
