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Boy band star, 34, dead 'after contracting coronavirus'

Chris Trousdale, best known for his boy band days in Dream Street, has passed away at age 34 (Photo: Getty Images).
Chris Trousdale, best known for his boy band days in Dream Street, has passed away at age 34 (Photo: Getty Images).

Chris Trousdale, best known for his boy band days in Dream Street, has passed away at the age of 34 from suspected COVID-19 related complications.

According to TMZ, a relative revealed the singer and actor “died after contracting coronavirus” on Tuesday night at a hospital in Burbank, Calfornia.

While a spokesperson for the family confirmed to Yahoo Entertainment US that Trousdale died from an “undisclosed illness,” they did not comment specifically about COVID-19 at the time.

“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of Chris Trousdale on June 2, 2020 from an undisclosed illness. He was a light to so many and will be missed dearly by his family, friends and fans all over the world,” Trousdale’s rep said on Wednesday.

“Although it felt like he belonged to us all, the family is requesting that you respect their privacy at this time of grieving. Should you wish to make a donation in his honour, please give to ASPCA.”

Chris shared his last Instagram post on Tuesday, a black square captioned “#theshowmustbepaused” in line with the ‘blackout Tuesday’ social media movement. Back in February, he shared a snap of himself lounging in a pool along with the hashtag “#beingalive”.

“Beautiful Soul” Jesse McCartney, who was also a Dream Street member, took to his own Instagram account to pay tribute to his “explosively charming” former bandmate.

“It pains me to say that an old friend, Chris Trousdale, from my early days in the music industry has passed away due to complications from COVID-19,” he wrote.

Chris uploaded this snap with the caption "Blessed to have weather like this and a vessel to enjoy it in! Happy hump day #blessed #beingalive" on February 20. Photo: Instagram/christrousdaleofficial.
Chris uploaded this snap with the caption "Blessed to have weather like this and a vessel to enjoy it in! Happy hump day #blessed #beingalive" on February 20. Photo: Instagram/christrousdaleofficial.

From Dream Street to Disney

Trousdale first made a name for himself as a child actor on Broadway, but his big break came in 1999 when he joined Dream Street, the same band that helped launch Jesse McCartney’s career. Other members included Greg Raposo, Matt Ballinger and Frankie Galasso.

Dream Street split up after three years due to a legal dispute between the boys’ parents and managers. In their short time together, the band cranked out two albums and dance hits including “It Happens Every Time.” They also opened on tour for Aaron Carter.

After going their separate ways in 2002, Trousdale released a few songs on his own. He got back into acting and appeared on Disney channel's Austin & Ally and Shake It Up. His theatre credits include The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast and The Wizard of Oz. In 2012, he auditioned for The Voice.

“[Dream Street] changed my life. After Dream Street broke up, it’s kind of hard to go from all that success and doing what you love every day, to doing absolutely nothing,” he said on the NBC show.

Trousdale's mother added, “I am just so in awe of my son and how hard he's worked all these years... I'm very proud of him.”

Although Trousdale didn't make it past the blind auditions on The Voice, he didn't let it deter him and, in 2019, he released the pop single “Summer.”

Additional reporting by Taryn Rider.

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