INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

‘Blood, Sweat & Heels Star’ Daisy Lewellyn Dies After Battle With Rare Cancer

By Monique Harris
Published on: 07:15 PST, Apr 8, 2016

Daisy Lewellyn, 36, died Friday after battling a rare form of cancer.

Lewellyn suffered from bile duct cancer. This form of cancer attacks the digestive tract leading to the liver. She revealed her diagnosis during Season 2 of Bravo’s Blood, Sweat & Heels.

A Bravo spokesperson told TMZ, “We are devastated to learn that Daisy Lewellyn from Bravo’s ‘Blood, Sweat & Heels’ has passed away this morning after a battle with a rare form of cancer. Daisy passed on in peace and filled with joy, surrounded by her family and friends. We are all saddened to lose this wonderful woman. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy is expressed.”

Lewellyn was the former editor of Essence magazine before joining the cast of Blood, Sweat & Heels, which debuted in 2014.

During the second season of the show, Daisy informed her onscreen cast members of her illness. The following month, she told Madam Noire that she was diagnosed two years prior with stage three cancer of the bile ducts.

“It was kind of shocking. But also when I was diagnosed, I remember some of my immediate thoughts being like, ‘Well, you know what? I’m not afraid to die,'” she told the site. “It wasn’t like I wanted to die and it wasn’t like I didn’t want to live because I absolutely love my life and I’ve always loved my life, but they told me it was stage three cancer. I was like, ‘Well, if it’s my time to go, I’m okay with it.'”

Lewellyn added, “But then I had to start thinking about other people in my life and it’s not that easy just to decide just like that. I realized that it was hard for my family and my friends. I’m not afraid to go to heaven, but I would like to stay on Earth if I can. If it’s my time to go, then I can say that I had a great life.”

Daisy Lewellyn coined herself as “the Queen of Effortless Chic.” She was also the author of Never Pay Retail: Shop Smart, Spend Less & Look Your Best Ever, published in 2010.

Essence confirmed the news on their website. Their tribute included warm condolences.

“Daisy Lewellyn has sadly lost her battle to cancer at age 36. As someone who was a friend, constant source of inspiration and considered a life-long member of the ESSENCE family, we are deeply saddened by this news.”

Blood, Sweat & Heels fans described the upbeat Lewellyn as optimistic and happy. Her revelation came as a shock to fans who took to her television persona. Fans offered their condolences on social media with #RIPDaisyLewellyn.

“I’d thought the next ‘Big C’ in my life would be my career, but I was never expecting cancer,” Daisy revealed after having a tumor removed, only for the doctors to discover more cancerous cells.

She moved forward with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, asking her support staff for more help in her absence. Although she was tired and her health was failing, she did not let her struggles dim her smile.

“I have cancer – cancer doesn’t have me. Every day comes with its challenges, but that doesn’t stop me from celebrating what I have in my life,” she said.

Daisy Lewellyn allowed fans to accompany her on her journey during the second season of Blood, Sweat & Heels.

“I wanted to turn this tragedy into triumph by sharing my story in hopes that even one person could feel inspired.”

[Photo by Evan Agostini/AP Images]

Share this article: ‘Blood, Sweat & Heels Star’ Daisy Lewellyn Dies After Battle With Rare Cancer
More from Inquisitr