Beloved Disney influencer Dominique Brown died last week while attending a creator event hosted by fandom merch company BoxLunch, People reports. While at the Vibiana venue in Los Angeles last Thursday, the California-based content creator and co-founder of Black Girl Disney consumed a meal that contained allergens after the event staff reportedly confirmed with her that it did not contain any allergy-causing ingredients. A source told Us Weekly that 911 was called immediately after Brown suffered a severe allergic reaction. Brown was 34 years old.
“We are devastated by the passing of Dominique Brown, a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective, who suffered a medical emergency at an event hosted by BoxLunch Thursday in Los Angeles,” BoxLunch told Us Weekly in a statement. “Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time.”
The exact timeline and details of Brown’s death are currently unknown. Per Us Weekly, a source claimed that BoxLunch had previously communicated all guest allergies to the venue. In the aftermath of Brown’s death, the company said it would offer grief counseling for its staffers and for fellow members of the BoxLunch Collective, the group of influencers who regularly work with the company. BoxLunch also said it is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.
Brown’s fellow creators quickly rallied together to grieve their friend, calling her the “kindest, most genuine person in this community.” Influencer Katy Lane commented on Brown’s final Instagram post from early December, writing, “You were and will continue to be the good in the world Dom.” On Friday, Brown’s brother commented on the same post with a statement from the Brown family.
“Hi everyone, this is @pramos313 – Dominique’s brother,” he wrote. “I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light. Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did. I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart. ❤️????.”
Fellow creator Andrea Pugh-Kelley also shared a touching remembrance of Brown, praising the late influencer’s efforts toward diversifying the Disney creator community and for uplifting Black girls in the space. On her Instagram Story, Pugh-Kelley wrote: “My girl built this community and inspired so many others. And I will never let anyone forget that.”
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