Keenan Cahill, the YouTube star who created viral lip-synching videos with celebrities including Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and 50 Cent, has died. he was 27
The social media personality, who was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome at the age of 1, died Thursday after developing complications following recent open-heart surgery, according to a source set up by his family GoFundMe.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of Keenan Cahill,” read a post on Cahill’s official Facebook page.
Keenan Cahill, the YouTube star who created viral lip-synching videos with celebrities including Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and 50 Cent, has died. He was 27. (Alyse Gilbert/Young Hollywood/Getty Images)
It continued, “Keenan is an inspiration and let’s celebrate by remembering all of the content he’s created, artists he’s worked with, music he’s produced and the love he has for.” had everyone who supported him over the years.”
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GoFundMe was organized by Cahill’s aunt, Katie Owens, sister of his mother Erin Cahill, to help pay for his treatment and funeral expenses.
“We are devastated to announce that our nephew Keenan Cahill passed away on December 29th at the age of 27,” Owens wrote on GoFundMe. “Twelve days earlier he had open-heart surgery and was beginning to recover, but complications arose that he was unable to overcome.”
She continued, “Keenan had Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, a progressive condition that causes many tissues and organs to enlarge, become inflamed or scarred, and eventually atrophy.”
“The diagnosis was first made at the age of 1 year. Due to his rare illness, he underwent countless surgeries in his short life, including a bone marrow transplant.”
Born in Elmhurst, Illinois, Cahill became one of YouTube’s earliest stars after finding fame with his popular lip-synching videos, which he released on the platform in 2010. Cahill’s channel currently has 725,000 subscribers and over 500 million views. His first video, in which he lip-synched to Katy Perry’s hit “Teenage Dream,” went viral and has 58 million views. The clip caught Perry’s attention and she turned to Cahill.
Other stars who have collaborated in videos with the internet celebrity include Justin Bieber, Birtney Spears, Ariana Grande, Nick Cannon, David Guetta, Jason Derulo, Tyra Banks and DJ Pauly D. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images).
The two met while on her California Dreams tour in 2011, and the pop superstar joined Cahill for a duet on “Teenage Dream,” which was released on his YouTube channel.
In November 2010, 50 Cent appeared in a video on Cahill’s channel in which the two lip-synched to Jeremih’s “Down on Me” to the rapper’s song.
Other stars who have collaborated in videos with the internet celebrity include Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Nick Cannon, David Guetta, Jason Derulo, Tyra Banks and DJ Pauly D.
In 2011, Cahill appeared in a commercial for SmartWater with Jennifer Aniston. Cahill also appeared onstage with electronic music duo LMFAO for a performance at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Cahill also appeared onstage with electronic music duo LMFAO for a performance at the 2011 American Music Awards. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Youtuber appeared in the music video for Sara Bareilles’ 2011 song “Uncharted” along with Adam Levine, Sia and Ryan Tedder.
Owens noted on the GoFundMe page that Cahill “never made a lot of money, but he enjoyed what he did and put smiles on so many people’s faces.”
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After news of his death broke, Pauly D paid tribute to Cahill on Twitter. He posted a photo of himself with Cahill and wrote, “Rip Keenan. Thank you for always making the world smile.”
Perez Hilton shared a video of his duet with Cahill on the Maroon 5 song “Moves Like Jagger” and tweeted “Rest in Love.”
Ashley Hume is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @ashleyhume