YouTuber Alysha Burney Dead at 25
Originally appeared on E! Online
The influencer community has suffered a tragic loss.
Alysha Burney—who amassed millions of followers across YouTube and TikTok by posting viral parody videos—died in her sleep on March 2 while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, her brother Charles Burney confirmed to FOX4 News. She was 25.
"I come with great sadness that my little sister Alysha Burney has passed," Charles wrote in a statement on Instagram March 10. "PLEASE allow our family time to grieve during this time."
Her official cause of death has not been shared.
Alysha's brother went on to shut down unsubstantiated rumors that have spread online about how she passed away.
"It is extremely difficult seeing all of the false narratives trying to defame her legacy," Charles continued, "and we are ready to take legal action for those continuing to spread false information regarding her passing."
Closing out his message, Charles expressed his gratefulness from those who have shown their support during the challenging time and emphasized that his family needed privacy to grieve their loss. As he explained, "We know so many people care about her and will share more information soon but just give us some time and please stop harassing the family."
More from E! Online
Luxembourg's Prince Frederik Dead at 22 After Battling Rare Genetic Disease
Gene Hackman Death Investigation: Every Tragic Twist After Actor, Wife Betsy Arakawa Were Found Dead
Father of Mae Whitman's Baby Revealed 6 Months After Welcoming Son
Charles added, "Her legacy will still live on FOREVER!!"
Alysha—who joined YouTube in February 2013—was a producer, director and sketch comedian who racked up over 1.2 million subscribers on the platform, as well as over 2.4 million followers on TikTok.
Even though she found success on social media with parody series such as "Online Classes Be Like" and "Podcasts Be Like," Charles shared that his sister—who was living in Los Angeles leading up to her passing—still had several goals she'd yet to accomplish.
"Her lifelong goal was to be a writer and a director," he told FOX4 News in an interview published March 10. "Another goal she had was to return to Kansas City, open a production studio, and help other young creatives from Kansas City get to where she was."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Dog Who Only Knew 'Loving Home' Ends Up in Shelter Aged 12, Heartbroken
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Animal lovers responded in a massive way to a senior dog who had entered a rescue shelter through no fault of his own—and thanks to this enormous reaction, he has now found a loving new family. Rescue organization Many Tears Rescue shared a heartbreaking post to their Instagram account @manytearsrescue in May, showing photographs of an older dog who they said was 12 years old, had lost most of his sight and hearing, and had just come into their care. They asked followers to imagine "spending your whole life in a warm and loving home, only to find yourself getting surrendered" in your old age—and a staff member told Newsweek that their appeal for Zebadee led to him dozens of adoption applications. "This is the reality for our poor boy Zebadee," they wrote in the post. "He did nothing wrong and neither did his beloved owner—she was just 92 years old and could no longer give him the care he needed." Zebadee, who was given up to a shelter aged 12 in heartbreaking circumstances. Zebadee, who was given up to a shelter aged 12 in heartbreaking circumstances. Instagram @manytearsrescue They shared their plea to find Zebadee "the most perfect retirement home, where he can go back to being absolutely cherished and doted on." Admitting the old dog is "breaking all of our hearts," they described walking past his kennel as "truly soul destroying." "No dog deserves to live at a rescue, but for one that is 12 years old and has only ever known a home and love, it really is the worst possible place." Instagram users flooded the post with love, awarding it more than 12,500 likes, as one commenter called him a "beautiful boy", and another despaired: "Poor confused boy and heartbreaking for his owner who couldn't manage caring for her companion." "He deserves the best. What a sweetie pie, very heartbreaking to give up your fur baby," another wrote, as another agreed: "Gorgeous boy. His owner must have been absolutely devastated to let him go." And as another put it: "How desperately sad for both of them. Very courageous of his elderly owner to part with him to ensure he was delivered into caring and loving hands." The senior dog in photos taken at Many Tears Animal Rescue. The senior dog in photos taken at Many Tears Animal Rescue. Instagram @manytearsrescue Alongside photos of Zebadee receiving cuddles, curled up for a nap, and smiling at the camera, Many Tears Rescue said the old dog "doesn't ask for a lot, so please don't keep him waiting here for long." And the shelter—and Zebadee—got their wish, as just days later, the senior dog was adopted. A Many Tears spokesperson told Newsweek: "He got reserved the very next day after the post, so yes, it worked instantly! "He received over 30 applications from the post alone." And while they haven't heard from his new owners about how Zebadee is settling in, as they described it, "no news is good news. "We can always assume they're doing very well unless we hear otherwise—we tend not to contact owners unless necessary after they adopt." While it was a happy ending for Zebadee, many dogs closer to home aren't so lucky. In the US, millions of dogs enter shelters each year. In 2024, 5.8 million dogs and cats were admitted to shelters and rescues, while 4.2 million animals were adopted, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Amber Ruffin on her first Pride since coming out as queer: 'I'm all in'
Amber Ruffin on her first Pride since coming out as queer: 'I'm all in' Show Caption Hide Caption Pride flag raised in DC in honor of Pride month Officials, organizers and supporters gathered in front of the John A. Wilson building in Washington D.C. as the Pride flag was raised. Amber Ruffin didn't quite realize she had to come out as a queer woman, initially. "I didn't think people really needed to come out anymore," the comedian and writer, 46, says. But there was a point where she felt like she wanted to openly declare herself and join the queer community. "I certainly didn't want anyone I dated to feel like I was hiding them. And that was the main point. But also I realized I was having privileges that straight people have and I did not want that." Ruffin, best known for her work on NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" and her eponymous Peacock talk show, posted on Instagram at the end of Pride Month in 2024: "I'm using the last day of PRIDE to come out! Be proud of who you are, little babies! I know I am!" Nearly a year later Ruffin is just as joyful and happy as she was in the photo in the post, smiling widely and wearing a shirt emblazoned with "QUEER" across the front. "Coming out was so easy," Ruffin told USA TODAY in a recent phone interview. "Coming out was so nothing. I don't know anyone who cares. I really don't. So I'm just a lucky little bug." Ruffin spoke to USA TODAY about her Pride plans now that she's out, living through President Donald Trump's second term as a comedian and queer person and losing her gig hosting the White House Correspondents Dinner. "I've got a lot of Prides to make up for, so this one I'm all in." Question: What led to your choice to come out on the last day of Pride in 2024? Answer: Last year I came out because I had gotten a divorce the year before and was kind of like, 'I'll never date another man.' I feel like gay or straight, every woman has thought that. But then I realized what that meant. And do you know how like sometimes people are passing for white and then white people say wild (stuff) around them? I was like, I can't let that happen to me around being queer. I don't want it. So what are your plans for this year's Pride? Every time anything has a rainbow on it, I want to be under that mug. ... This whole month of June I am not going to sleep. I can't stress enough how excited I am about this part, and I'm not going to be cool about it either. I'm talking rainbow suspenders and glitter on my face. I'm in. I'm all the way in. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community are distressed and worried these days based on the policy changes and goals of the Trump administration. How are you feeling and how do you talk to people in the community about the deluge of news? I try not to talk to anyone about it, because I realize I'm a little bit like Chicken Little when it comes to it all. I will start reasonable and then in a couple of sentences I'll be like "that's why we all have to move!" I try to just listen and interject positivity where I (can), knowing that everything might get even worse than this. You were asked to host the White House Correspondents Dinner this year, which is traditionally hosted by a politically-minded comedian such as your colleague Seth Meyers (hosted in 2011). But in March the organization said they would no longer feature a comedic performance at all after criticism of you by a member of the Trump administration. How did you feel when that all went down? When I lost the Correspondents Dinner, I felt like, "well, that's fine." Because I had done so many anti-Trump things that I was like, "well, this is probably for the best." If (the White House Correspondents Association) didn't want me to be running around talking trash about Trump, then there wasn't anything I could have done for (them). More details: White House Correspondents' Dinner cancels plans to feature comedian Amber Ruffin People in the queer community often discuss how Pride is both a celebration and has its roots in protest. Is that something you're balancing this year? Yes. And I think the trans community is extremely good at celebrating and protesting simultaneously because their existence is a protest. So it's so natural, because they literally walk in protest all day, everyday. It's part of how they exist. So it is a beautiful time to use Pride Month to get grounded and to help (transgender people). ... I've never really had privilege before, so I'm like, we use this. Let me use this milligram I have of privilege. I'm glad to do it.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Books shape our identities: LGBTQ+ titles we hold close to our hearts
Books shape our identities: LGBTQ+ titles we hold close to our hearts Books are more than just escapist entertainment – reading has the power to transform your outlook and expand your worldview. It's especially important, then, to feel represented in the books we read. For some LGBTQ+ readers, seeing ourselves in literature was the first time we felt permission to be ourselves. Hearing stories from queer elders offers a glimpse at the joy to come for youth who may not feel supported in their families and communities. In celebration of Pride Month, these are the books that raised us as LGBTQ+ journalists. 'Old Enough' by Haley Jakobson This college campus novel is brimming with queer joy while carefully handling topics like mental health, sexual assault and outgrown friendships. 'Old Enough' closely holds anyone who is a survivor of sexual assault, which bisexual women face at disproportionately higher rates. I found so much comfort in Sav's journey. Jakobson is a witty and lyrical contemporary writer and an Instagram must-follow for anyone identifying as bi+. – Clare Mulroy, Books reporter 'Secret City' by James Kirchick I'd read plenty of LGBTQ+ fiction but hadn't dipped my (gay) toe into much nonfiction. This book taught me so much about the city I live in – how queer people's presence and lack thereof shaped presidential administrations, employment decisions and everyone's ability to be openly themselves. Today, as LGBTQ+ rights face pushback across the country, my queer predecessors gave me hope that equality will prevail. – David Oliver, Wellness editor 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' by David Sedaris On one of the final days of 8th grade, my class was given a list of books we could read over the summer. My English teacher recommended "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris. I think it was the first time I'd read anything by a gay author, and one of my first experiences with creative nonfiction as a genre. Aside from humorous essays about his family and his experience living in France with his partner, Sedaris silently confirmed to me that being gay didn't have to mean living a life of shame – a message I certainly wasn't getting otherwise. – Sara Pequeño, Opinion columnist 'Hola Papi' by John Paul Brammer Few memoirs have captured my attention the way John Paul Brammer's "Hola Papi: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons" did. I had known I was gay probably before I had the language to express it (but, seriously, who plays with Barbies as rabidly as I did? Even at 5, it was obvious) and yet I found myself grappling with the same age-old questions of identity and community. Brammer's brilliant, witty memoir gave me a framework of self-compassion to reflect on all the messy, similar-but-different experiences we had. I closed the book feeling as if he had spoken directly to me. – Drew Atkins, Opinion digital producer 'Gay Bar' by Jeremy Atherton Lin "Gay Bar: Why We Went Out" is a beautiful blend of memoir and well-researched queer history, looking at how the closure of LGBTQ+ bars has impacted the queer community. I first read this in 2023 and have plans to read it again soon. Throughout the entire book, I felt as if I were there with Jeremy at the fantastic queer spaces he visited, while feeling simultaneously inspired as a writer of the community. There really is nothing like a hole-in-the-wall bar with permanently sticky floors and stained ceiling tiles. – Greta Cross, national trending reporter 'Delilah Green Doesn't Care' by Ashley Herring Blake I love romance books, and this is one of the first sapphic romance books I read. Just like any of my favorites from the genre, it had me giggling and kicking my feet. It was also so affirming to see a bisexual main character whose community didn't question her sexuality. Plus, I love that the romance trope of opposites attract was alive and well in this book! I recommend the "Bright Falls" series to any romance lover. – Kinsey Crowley, Trump Connect reporter for USA TODAY Network
