“Lion King” star Shannon Tavarez Dies at 11

The AP reports that the Broadway star passed away on Monday afternoon at Cohen Children’s Medical Centre in New York.

“She was a remarkable and talented young lady who touched the lives of those she entertained, as well as those who cared for her over the past several months,” the hospital said in a statement.

Tavarez debuted on Broadway in September 2009 in The Lion King and was appearing as a young Nala four nights a week in the Elton John show. In April she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

Celebrities such as Alicia Keys and Rihanna, who led campaigns to find a bone-marrow match for Tavarez, were touched by the little girl’s story.

Tavarez attended the Harlem School of the Arts and studied singing and piano since age three.

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