Disney-centric influencer Dominique Brown has passed away following a severe allergic reaction at a brand event in Los Angeles.
The 34-year-old, known for building a strong online community dedicated to Disney culture, passed away on Thursday evening at an event hosted by pop culture merchandise retailer BoxLunch, as reported by Sky News’ US partner NBC News.
Emergency services were alerted at the event at Vibiana, a cathedral-turned-event venue in downtown LA, after the DJ halted the music to announce a medical emergency and requested an EpiPen from guests, according to NBC News.
Boxlunch and Vibiana have initiated independent investigations into the incident.
Ms. Brown was the co-creator of Black Girl Disney, a space for Black Disney influencers to come together in a predominantly white niche.
The Black Girl Disney account, which she established with fellow creator Mia Von, has over 20,000 followers, while Ms. Brown’s personal account has more than 21,000.
From there, she frequently shared updates from theme parks and red carpet events for Disney films.
In her final Instagram post, Ms. Brown is seen enthusiastically showcasing a Winnie the Pooh hat while wearing a cardigan from BoxLunch.
“I’m just here to say, get the obnoxious plush hat,” she wrote.
Ms. Brown’s brother, Patrick Ramos, expressed gratitude on her last post for the love and light shown by her social media family.
“Disney brought her joy, but the unmatched part was finding a community that loved her and Disney as much as she did,” Mr. Ramos wrote. “I will miss my sister, best friend, and that infectious smile she always had.”
BoxLunch expressed devastation over Ms. Brown’s passing, describing her as a cherished member of BoxLunch Collective, its brand ambassador program.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends, and we are committed to offering support to them, the members of the BoxLunch Collective, and our team during this difficult time,” BoxLunch stated.
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Vibiana conveyed condolences and sympathy to Dominique Brown’s family and loved ones during this tragic time.
“As we await more conclusive information about this tragic incident, we remain fully dedicated to our internal review and cooperation with all involved parties to understand the circumstances surrounding this devastating loss,” a spokesperson for the venue mentioned.
Fellow creators and actress Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, paid tribute to Ms. Brown online.
She referred to Ms. Brown as a “beautiful spirit” and shared a link to a Change.org petition advocating for life-saving food allergy measures at all food establishments.