Former The Voice Kids star Karen Silva has died at 17 after experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke.
Silva made a name for herself after advancing to the semi-finals round of the music competition show in 2020 at 12 years old. Her death was confirmed in a post shared on her official Instagram page Thursday, April 24.
The post announced that Silva died after being hospitalized at São João Batista Hospital, in Volta Redonda, following a hemorrhagic stroke.
“Karen enchanted Brazil with her powerful voice and striking presence even in childhood, when she participated in The Voice Kids in 2020,” the post continued. “Since then, she has followed a luminous path, uniting talent, charisma and representation at every step.”
“More than an up-and-coming artist, Karen was a symbol of empowerment, especially for Black girls who found in her inspiration and strength to dream. Her music, her message and her joy leave a deep mark on all who met her and followed her journey.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The post concluded, “In this moment of great pain, we send our solidarity to their parents, Manoella and Fernando, with friends, family and fans. May the memory of your light continue to guide us.” The message was originally written in Portguese and has been translated to English via Instagram.
The passing comes days after a post shared on her Instagram profile Monday, April 21, revealed the Brazilian singer’s health struggles. “Singer Karen Silva is facing a health problem and, at the moment, she is still under medical care, with the support and affection of her family and team. We ask for respect, empathy and prayers as she recovers peacefully. Any updates will be made by our official channels We thank everyone for the love,” the post read.
Silva began taking vocal lessons at the age of 8, hoping to sing the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ 1967 arrangement of “Oh Happy Day,” per The Daily Mail.
“After just a few lessons, she sang the song and enchanted everyone with her striking voice,” her first vocal coach, Lana Netto, said, according to the outlet. “From that day on, Karen never stopped singing and captivating people.”
She is survived by her parents Manoella and Fernando.
