Teen Beyoncé fan dies
A teenage Beyoncé fan has died just four days after she spoke to her idol on FaceTime.
The 35-year-old singer surprised Ebony Banks, who has been battling with a rare form of the disease, with a video call on Wednesday (03.22.17), and shortly after fulfilling her final wish, the youngster passed away on Sunday (03.26.17).
A staff member of MD Anderson Cancer Center, where Ebony had been treated, confirmed the sad news and a candlelit vigil was held for the teenager at LeRoy Crump Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Sunday evening.
The Alief Independent Schools District shared images from the vigil on Twitter, along with the caption: "Sights from tonight’s vigil for @AliefHastingsHS student Ebony Banks (sic)"
And her school, Alief Hastings High School, have announced they
will hold a special memorial service in honor of the senior.
They posted on Twitter on Monday (03.27.17): "Students for Christ will hold a prayer service for Ebony Banks tomorrow morning at 6:45 in the theatre. All are welcome.(sic)"
Beyonce – who has five-year-old daughter Blue Ivy with her husband Jay Z and is pregnant with twins – learnt about Ebony’s dream to meet her through her school friends, who started up a campaign on social media with the hashtag #EbobmeetsBeyoncé in a bid to get Beyoncé’s "attention" and make their classmate’s dreams come true.
Speaking about the plan, one of Ebony’s friends, Karina Gutierrez, said: "Beyoncé is one of her idols. She admires her so much, so we’re trying to put that on Twitter and Instagram to get Beyoncé’s attention."
And another pal, Cristal Depaz, had vowed to do all she can to ensure Ebony is happy, despite her illness.
She explained: "We try to make sure she has a smile on her face and to make her wishes come true."
A video of the ‘Formation’ singer conversing with Ebony has since been shared on social media, which sees the vocalist wave and smile at her fan before declaring her love to her.
In the clip, which has gone viral, Beyoncé said: "I love you."
And the ‘Dreamgirls’ actress’ response to the efforts stunned Ebony and her friends who put the plan into action.
Shayna McKnight said: "It was like, wow, it really happened. We actually got her attention."
