August 8, 2021
Nicole Hurst, Background Singer For Justin Timberlake, Loses Battle With Cancer
A beloved background singer for Justin Timberlake has passed away on August 4.
Timberlake took to Instagram to honor his “sister” Nicole Hurst, 39, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. The “Cry Me A River” singer also shared touching videos and photos of him and Hurst in the post.
“My heart is so heavy. We lost a beautiful soul this week. Nicole lit up every room she walked into. On and off the stage she was a constant source of joy and positivity. Some things feel so unfair and we will never understand why they happen,” he wrote.
“What I do know is that we were blessed to laugh with her, to travel with her, and to experience her infectious smile and love for a life filled with music. Nicole, it’s not enough to say that I am going to miss you dearly. Thank you for your light. I will do my best to carry that with me. I love you, my sister. Forever family and forever a TN Kid.”
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Although Hurst’s cause of death hasn’t been disclosed. The talented singer took to Instagram in 2019 to share that the cancer had mestaticized to her brain. She detailed her struggles and revealed her ongoing battle with the disease.
“If you can’t tell by now, I’m kind of a private person. And I’ve been wanting to say something for months now, but could never find the right words. These pictures aren’t throwbacks from 2014, but from this year, literally from the 2nd day in January when my world was once again completely flipped upside down,” Hurst wrote. “What was discovered was not a cancer recurrence, but breast cancer that somehow found it’s way to my brain, forcing me to pull the emergency brake on my life and sent me immediately into whole brain radiation treatment to destroy everything that was trying to destroy me.”
The singer continued, “We all know everybody shares their life’s highlight reel, but rarely do we share the “REAL” reel…the deep, sticky shit that exposes our vulnerabilities and the things we try to hide from others. And I know I don’t have to share anything, but with all the craziness happening in this world, sometimes it’s comforting to see people in unexpected situations that can encourage you to find a small sliver of hope in what can feel like an otherwise hopeless place.”
“The reality is, it doesn’t matter how amazing your life looks, your background, net worth, or even who you sing with, life does not discriminate and can turn on you at any time! My battle isn’t over yet, and I don’t know what the future holds…really none of us do. But I know by the grace of God, along with the unrelenting support from my incredible family and friends, I’m fighting this thang with everything in me, and so far I’m winning cause I’m still here!💪🏽 The last picture is a throwback to yesterday, my birthday!! And I’m celebrating every victory and soaking in the blessing of being able to celebrate another year of life, and many, MANY more to come! I hope this post will inspire you to live courageously in your present moment and recognize that with its many ups and downs, life is still beautiful.”
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The accomplished singer, who has also worked with Kelly Clarkson, Janet Jackson and Bruno Mars, was born in Houston, Texas, in 1982.