We never met them.
We didn’t grow up in the same neighborhood. We didn’t sit at their kitchen tables or get phone calls from them on hard days. And still… when they pass, it hits like a wave. Unexpected, deep, sometimes even confusing.
Grieving a celebrity often gets brushed off as “silly” or “dramatic,” but let me tell you something: it’s not weird. It’s human.
Celebrities often feel like family to us, especially the ones we grew to enjoy throughout our childhood. They raised us through their art. They showed us what’s possible through their talent. They gave us joy when life was giving struggle. When someone’s voice, music, comedy, acting, or activism has walked beside you through your own journey, it’s not surprising that their passing can shake your spirit.
Grieving them isn’t just about who they were…it’s about what they represented.
A piece of your childhood.
A version of yourself you were trying to become.
A safe space.
A dream.
It’s also about the reminder of life’s fragility. When someone larger than life suddenly isn’t here anymore, we feel how thin the veil is. We start reflecting on our own lives, our loved ones, and what really matters.
So no, you’re not “doing too much” because you cried over someone famous dying.
You’re doing what humans do when someone meaningful is gone.
Take your time. Continue to cherish the work they left behind. Cry if you need to.
Honor how they impacted you.
It’s not weird.
It’s sacred.
Writing Prompt:
Who is a public figure, artist, or celebrity you grieved and what part of your life did they quietly hold space for? Write about the connection, the memory, and how their life (or passing) impacted your own.
