I first became familiar with Erica Ash by watching Survivor’s Remorse. I was blessed to get to meet and interview her a while ago when I was hosting a morning show (see video below) and she was everything I wanted her to be — friendly, approachable, funny and cool. She was the kind of actress that popped off the screen. I enjoyed watching her play off the energy of another one of my favorites, Tichina Arnold, who is also a burst of positive vibes on screen and in person.
So, I was shocked to be scrolling my feed today to see that Ash, only 47, had passed away. I thought, “What happened?!” It was cancer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Fans had known something was amiss when she looked thinner in her recent movie, We Have a Ghost. Internet rumors swirled about her health, unaccepting of reports that she was simply hitting the gym more often. Turns out her true fans could see her truth. She was private battling a silent killer while publicly putting on a brave face.
Though our interaction was fleeting, there was something special about meeting a celebrity like her. Surrounded by cast mates, Ash was generous with the spotlight. While meeting most celebrities are fleeting moments of excitement, they do create a lifelong memories for fans, thanks to their seemingly unrelated decision to follow an uncertain career path in the arts that allows them to shine their light on the masses.
I’m thankful to have met and interviewed her, if only for a few minutes, and more than all of the TV and movies I watched her star in, I will most remember how she lit up the room. I will remember her light. I hope you will, too.
