YouTube star Ethan Peters, better known by his social media handle ethanissupreme, has died at the age of 17.
The beauty influencer, who had over 139K subscribers on the video sharing platform and over 541k followers on Instagram, is believed to have passed away following a suspected drug overdose.
The news was confirmed by his father Gerald to Fox News on Sunday, saying: “The cancel culture we find ourselves in weighed heavy on his heart.
“He wanted nothing but to inspire, make people laugh and push the boundaries of what is acceptable in our world for all young people.”
“He was [a] kind soul, who accepted everyone for who they were,” he added.
Meanwhile Ethan’s friend and fellow influencer Ava Louise shared her heartache following the news – taking to Instagram to pay tribute to the star.
“This right here is my best friend in the entire world. He was the only person I spoke to for months,” she wrote alongside photos of the pair.
“I was all alone and struggling and Ethan inspired me again. He was here with me for my birthday 2 weeks ago and I’m so thankful I got to spend it with him.
“I’m so f**king thankful he flew out to bum ass Rutgers university to see me. We had our last FaceTime call last night and I am so so so sorry I cut it short,” she continued.
“I can’t breathe. This is the worst pain I ever felt. Iv [sic] lost friends but never a best friend. Ethan saw me through my lows and celebrated my highs with me. He was so much more than what you all saw online.
“His amazing parents have been parents to me when mine haven’t been the best, so please respect their privacy at this time. Ethan f**king Peters I’m gunna make sure you[r] legacy lives on you were meant for so much, the smartest teenager I knew.
“I hope there’s an afterlife and you’re doing wild s**t up there I really f**king do.”
Sharing a video of herself and Ethan, Ava wrote: “I watch this and smile (then bawl my eyes out). Ethan flew all the way to New Jersey to spend my birthday with me…night one we tried to tase someone together and caused a classic ethan and Ava scene.
“Having a long distance bestie is difficult…there were times I wouldn’t leave my house because I was on FaceTime with him for the entire day talking about our futures, our dreams our goals, dumb shit, boys, Money, fame everything.
“There were a solid 4 months when Ethan was the only human I had conversations with, I was struggling and isolating myself and he got me out of it. He was there always. Ethans my only friend who was a REAL friend to me and got this dumb internet bullshit we both do.
“He introduced me to so many influential people, he helped blow skinny legend anthem up, he wanted to see me do well. He always said if I was winning he was winning to. I credit all my success to Ethan Peters.”
“He told everyone he met how much he loved me and I appreciate those people for messaging me today. I have never had someone defend me (risk their own career and reputation to defend me) like Ethan has. He had my back and I’ll have his forever.
“Ethan Made mistakes but they were so small,” she continued, “He was a teenager struggling with drug addiction – drugs make you act so out of character. He was the most caring and smart person Iv ever met.
“His online persona was not a good representation of the best friend I had. Ethan Saved me so many times. I wish I could’ve saved him. I will forever regret not intervening harder.
“I will never forgive myself for it. But I ask all of you to smack drugs out of your friends hands. Buy them test kits. Force them to get help even if they say no. I never want any of you to feel what I feel right now. I lost someone I can never replace and I don’t know if I’ll ever bounce back from this. I really don’t.”
On the latest episode of Goss Chats, Goss.ie Founder Ali Ryan chats to The 2 Johnnies ahead of their highly anticipated RTÉ series ‘The 2 Johnnies Do America’.
From wanting to duet with Paul Mescal, to how they stay so grounded – the lads open up about their careers to date.
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