The Voice star Natasha Stuart dies aged 43

The Voice Australia contestant Natasha Stuart passed away this week at the age of 43. The singer, who had worked with huge names including Tina Arena, Michael Bolton and Jimmy Barnes, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2018.

The news was confirmed last night, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Natasha died of cancer at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital on Wednesday, surrounded by her family.

Following the news, The Voice Australia published a statement on Twitter, which read: “Our dear friend and #TheVoiceAU family member Natasha Stuart passed away peacefully last night.

“Natasha radiated joy, beauty and strength and touched everyone she met with her talent. Our love goes out to her family, her friends and the entire Australian music industry.”

Our dear friend and #TheVoiceAU family member Natasha Stuart passed away peacefully last night. Natasha radiated joy, beauty and strength and touched everyone she met with her talent. Our love goes out to her family, her friends and the entire Australian music industry. pic.twitter.com/Jj5tb8tyW5

— The Voice Australia (@TheVoiceAU) January 29, 2020

The show’s executive producers also issued a statement which read: “We are forever grateful to have had Tash orbit our world and be a part of our voice family. She radiated joy, beauty and strength and touched everyone she met with her talent. Our love goes out to her family, her friends and the entire Australian music industry.”

Fans of Natasha also paid tribute on social media, with one person writing: “So beautiful and an amazing singer. Such a brave woman. I remember her telling of losing her curly hair when going through chemo. Condolences to her family and friends.”

Another said: “Such an incredible story. What a beautiful life. Rest in peace, Natasha.” While another fan commented: “A beautiful human being, so sorry to hear a bad news such as this one. May she rest in peace and sing always in heaven. Condolences to all her family.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B75fKZlBHZx/

Throughout her battle with cancer, Natasha regularly shared updates on social media, including the pain she felt at losing her curly hair as a result of chemotherapy.

In one Instagram post, written the day after she completed a 20-week course of chemotherapy, she said: “I’m teary, happy, relieved, exhausted… so many emotions that I can’t quite put into words. I have no eyelashes or eyebrows. I have some baby hair on my head. I have battle scars and lingering side effects that should subside over the next month. I’ve been told it may be 6 months before my energy returns to ‘normal’ but I’m doing ok.

“This is definitely far from the most glamorous photo I’ve put out into the world but it is real. (Apart from the eyebrows I’ve drawn on!) 5 months of chemo is the hardest thing I’ve had to endure in my life. It’s not just a physical battle, it’s a battle of emotional endurance. By the 4th month, I wanted out. It was just too much and too long…. but I made it through.
I’ll be forever changed for this experience. I’m not just suddenly “normal” again – but I guess the good thing is that I never really was “normal”. Right now, I’m looking forward to building my immune system back up and the return of my energy levels.”