Kim Vō, the celebrity hair colorist behind the blond tresses of stars such asBritney Spears,Katy Perry,Pamela AndersonandGoldie Hawn, has died.
Vō died following a seven-year battle with colorectal cancer that saw him "exceeding all medical expectations," his husband, Adeel Vo-Khan, wrote in a Jan. 24social media post.
"My beloved husband, best friend, partner in life & business, Kim Vō, has taken his final breath," the post read. "Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018, he fought valiantly, winning many battles along the way and exceeding all medical expectations under the care of Dr. Lawrence Piro and his incredible team at Angeles Clinic and Cedars-Sinai."
He added, "Ultimately, God decided it was time for our angel on earth to return home."
Instead of sending flowers or "other tokens of condolences," Vō wished for his followers to donate to theKim Vō Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports creatives in the beauty and fashion industries who are battling cancer, his husband wrote.
Vo-Khan also shared a statement from his late husband, which read: "I've been incredibly lucky. I've experienced love, happiness, and meaningful relationships on and off screen. I don't need anything more, but I do want to use the platform, knowledge, and success I've worked so hard for to help others.
"Everything I've been blessed with also belongs to the communities that have made me who I am. I want my life to be celebrated with joy, positivity, and now, health-first vigilance. That is the meaning of life. That is the meaning of my life."
Valentino Garavani, Italian fashion designer to the stars, died at 93.A post shared Jan. 19 on Instagram by his foundation and his own @realmrvalentino account reads, "Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones." His cause of death was not given.
The founder of the eponymous brand Valentino retired from designing in 2008 after a storied career in fashion that included dressing notable figures, such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Joan Collins, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Penelope Cruz and Sharon Stone. He also introduced a signature shade of crimson, with a hit of orange, known as "Valentino Red."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Roger Allers, the Oscar-nominated animated filmmaker who co-directed Disney's 1994 blockbuster hit "The Lion King," died on Jan. 17, the company's CEO announced. He was 76. Allers died following "a short illness," a Walt Disney Animation Studios spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter and Animation Magazine. USA TODAY reached out to the studio and his family for additional information.
Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke about Allers' death in a Jan. 18 social media post, calling the director a "creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the long-running "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at 68 after a battle with prostate cancer. Adams shared his cancer diagnosis in May 2025. In 2023, numerous newspapers dropped his comic strip after he made racist comments saying that white people should "get the hell away from Black people."Adams' ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a Jan. 13 livestream. She also read a message from Adams, which he authored at the start of the year. "I had an amazing life," Adams wrote in his New Year's Day letter. "I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want: be useful. And please know, I loved you all to the very end."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on Jan. 10 at age 78. Weir's death was announced in a post on Instagram, which said the cause was "underlying lung issues." "For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road. A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music," the post said. "His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Actor T.K. Carter died on Jan. 9 at age 69, representatives confirmed to USA TODAY. Born Thomas Kent Carter, the actor was known for his roles in films like "The Thing" and TV shows like "Punky Brewster." "T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres," his publicist, Tony Freeman, said. "He brought laughter, truth, and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Grammy-nominated country songwriter Jim McBride, known for cowriting over a dozen Alan Jackson records, including "Chattahoochee," has died. He was 78.Jackson confirmed McBride's death in an Instagram tribute on Jan. 8.
"Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don't know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help," Jackson wrote, "inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace." The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer is also credited with helping write Conway Twitty's "A Bridge That Just Won't Burn," among other songs.
Hungarian director Béla Tarr, best known for dark dramas such as "Damnation," "Satantango" and "The Turin Horse," died on Jan. 6 following a "long and serious illness," the European Film Academy announced in a tribute to the late filmmaker.2011's "The Turin Horse," Tarr's final feature film, won best foreign language film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, as well as the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Passages 2026: Valentino, Kianna Underwood, Bob Weir and more stars we lost
Valentino Garavani, Italian fashion designer to the stars, died at 93.A post shared Jan. 19 on Instagramby his foundationandhis own @realmrvalentino accountreads, "Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones." His cause of death was not given.The founder of the eponymous brand Valentino retired from designing in 2008 after a storied career in fashion that included dressing notable figures, such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Joan Collins, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Penelope Cruz and Sharon Stone. He also introduced a signature shade of crimson, with a hit of orange, known as "Valentino Red."
Vō appeared on shows like Bravo's "Shear Genius" and the 2022 Paramount+ show "Blowing LA," which featured his flagship salon in West Hollywood, California.
The Vietnam-born creative told Teen Vogue ina 2007 interviewthat when he decided to go to beauty school, his mom said it would be "great" until he decided to "get a 'real' job."
"From a very young age, I've known what I wanted to do," he told the magazine. "I've always loved hair!"
He worked in sought-after salons, including Cristophe in Beverly Hills, before opening his first business, B2V, in the early 2000s.
"It's so tough being in this industry, now almost twenty years, I've had to go through a metamorphosis," he told theWhere Brains Meet Beauty podcastin 2018. "I've had to really upgrade my game. What was twenty years ago isn't reality right now. Social media plays a huge side of this."
Nicky Hilton, Jennie Garth pay tribute to Kim Vō
Friends and clients alike reacted in the Instagram comments, with Nicky Hilton writing, "Sending so much love. He was such a kind and sweet person." Jennie Garth posted, "I'm so sorry honey. 💔"
Bowel cancer, which is often referred to as colorectal cancer, isthe most common cause of cancer-related deathsin people under 50 years in the U.S., the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed in a Jan. 22 report. Cancer of the colon and the rectum often goes unnoticed as they typically don't present symptoms in the earliest stages, according toHarvard Health.
Regular screeningsarerecommendedfor adults 45 and older.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kim Vo dies – celeb hair colorist battled colorectal cancer
