Natina Reed, Star of Bring It On, Dead at 32
Natina Reed, member of the R&B group Blaque and star of the 2000 cheerleading flick Bring It On, has died at age 32 after being struck by a car near Atlanta, E! News has confirmed.
According to a press release sent from the Gwinnett (Ga.) Police Department to E! News, police received a call of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle at about 10:30 p.m. yesterday. "The driver of the vehicle contacted 911 to request assistance," the press release states. "Natina Reed was pronounced dead at Gwinnett Medical Center at 10:59 p.m. E.S.T."
"Preliminary information indicates that Reed was in the roadway on Lawrenceville Highway near Hamilton Road when struck," the release continues. Though the investigation is ongoing, the release states that the driver "was determined to be not at fault and there are no charges pending."
Reed was a protege of TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who herself died in an car accident in 2002. Reed is survived by her 10-year-old son, Tren Brown, whose father is the rapper Kurupt. Sunday would have been her 33rd birthday.
Fellow Blacque members Brandi Williams and Shamari Fears-DeVoe issued a joint statment today:
"We are devastated by the loss of our group member, sister and friend Natina Reed. Because of the enormous support of Blaque fans and our love for each another, Blaque officially reunited this fall and we were in the process of working on a new album and a reality show. Natina continuously embodied the pioneering spirit of Blaque and her undeniable creativity touched the hearts of fans everywhere. Natina was a mother, sister, accomplished songwriter, artist and friend. We ask for your prayers at this time for Natina's family. She will forever be missed and her global influence eternally felt. We thank God for the experiences we shared."
Twitter has also been teeming with tributes to Reed.
"Last night the world was changed forever, life will never be the same....she was my sister," tweeted her bandmate Williams.
"#RIP #Sad #BringItOn," her Bring It On costar Gabrielle Union added.
Questlove of The Roots offered, "man. in eerie Left Eye fashion....rip to Blaque's Natina Reed," also posting a link to a Blaque video.
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