17-Year-Old Cheerleader from America’s Got Talent Passes Away

Emily Gold, a talented dancer and cheerleader who competed with her Los Osos High School dance team on the recent season of America’s Got Talent, has tragically passed away at the age of 17. According to reports, her death is being treated as an apparent suicide.

Gold was discovered dead on Friday, September 13. The San Bernardino Coroner’s Office confirmed that the cause of her death is suicide, bringing profound sorrow to her family, friends, and community.

In the wake of this heartbreaking news, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated by Jeanette Fierro to support the Gold family. The campaign has a goal of raising $60,000 to assist the family during this challenging time.

The campaign page expresses deep sadness, stating, “With great sadness, we share our Los Osos Grizzly Emily Gold has passed away. As a community, let’s come together and support the Gold family in this difficult time. Please know this money will go directly to the family to support them and help with expenses.”

Gold’s death comes shortly after she and her dance troupe received acclaim on America’s Got Talent. They made a strong impression during the auditions, moving on to the quarterfinals before being eliminated in an episode that aired on August 14.

Despite the elimination, the performance garnered high praise from judge Simon Cowell, who stood in admiration of their energetic display. He described the performance as “absolutely brilliant” and commended the team for exemplifying what a great school should promote—talent and friendship.

Cowell remarked, “It reminded me of seeing the High School Musical movie and thinking every kid should go to a school like that.” His encouraging words reflect the positive impact Gold had on those around her.

Just a day before the elimination broadcast, Gold shared her perspective on performing. She mentioned how crucial it was for her to focus on the corrections received right up until the performance, emphasizing her dedication to applying them on stage. She acknowledged the challenges of balancing school and the demands of competing on AGT, stating, “It’s definitely tough to balance, but we make it happen.”

As a senior at Los Osos High School, Gold served as the varsity dance captain, where she was highly regarded by her teammates and peers. The varsity dance team expressed their heartfelt grief in a post shared on Instagram, saying, “It is with such a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beautiful, kind, and loving Emily Gold, Senior and Varsity Dance Captain. Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion, and the most humble heart. She will be remembered as a leader, role model, friend, and sister to her teammates.”

The loss of Emily Gold is a reminder of the struggles many face, often unseen by friends and loved ones. It’s important for those experiencing feelings of distress, isolation, or difficulty coping to seek help. Various support services are available for those in need.

For individuals in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Samaritans provides a confidential helpline available 24/7 at 116 123. They also offer support via email at [email protected] and through their website.

In the United States, anyone in need of immediate mental health assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), which is also available 24 hours a day. This free, confidential crisis hotline is here to help everyone.

For those living in other countries, resources can be found at befrienders.org, where individuals can locate helplines and support services nearby.