2003 tca upn summer party
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Actress Natalie Desselle-Reid, of 'B*A*P*S*' and 'Cinderella,' Dies at 53
Natalie Desselle-Reid is survived by her husband Leonard and three children.
On Monday, Natalie Desselle-Reid, an actress known for her roles in B*A*P*S, Eve, and Cinderelladied at the age of 53 after a year-long battle with colon cancer.
"It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning," the family said in an official statement. "She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife."
Other members of the entertainment industry shared their condolences, most notably, Holly Robinson Peete, whose mother managed Desselle-Reid. "Just absolutely decimated by this news," she wrote on Twitter. "I got to know her when my mom was managing her. She will be so missed...sending out prayers to her children and husband. Rest in Peace, Sweet Girl."
\u201cJust absolutely decimated by this news...\nActress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her. \nShe will be so missed...sending out prayers to her children and husband. \n\ud83d\udc94\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\ude22\nRest In Peace, Sweet Girl\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\u201d— Holly Robinson Peete \ud83d\udc83\ud83c\udffe\u264d\ufe0f (@Holly Robinson Peete \ud83d\udc83\ud83c\udffe\u264d\ufe0f) 1607365067
A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, Desselle-Reid graduated from Grambling State University, where she first became interested in theatre. In 1996, she appeared in Set it Off as Tanika. One of her most beloved performances came alongside Halle Berry as Mickey in the cult classic 1997 movie B*A*P*S.
Just days before Deselle-Reid's passing, Berry posted an old video of the two, in costume, touring downtown Los Angeles between shots for the film. "I'm in total shock," Berry tweeted, with a gif of the two from the movie. "Completely heartbroken. Gonna need a minute."
Berry would later post an official statement on social media. "Natalie taught us love, joy and humor through her characters," she wrote. "She could never dim her light, and it was infectious. With her I laughed harder than I'd ever laughed before. She showed us it was ok to be goofy and funny while still being sincere and extraordinarily kind. She and I would hoot and holler over every BAPS tribute we came across, sending them back and forth to one another, overwhelmed that our on-screen friendship meant as much to you as it did to us. She was especially humbled by that, as am I."
Dessell-Reid would also star as Brandy's evil stepsister in Disney Channel's 1997 made-for-TV adaption of Cinderella. She also appeared in sitcoms like Yes, Dear, ER, and Tyler Perry's Eve. She also starred in Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family as Tammy.
Desselle-Reid is survived by her husband Leonard and three children.
