Kailia Posey, ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ star, dead at 16; tributes pour in

Kailia Posey, best known for appearing on the popular TLC series ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’, has died at the age of 16 following an incident in Las Vegas, her family said in a statement on Tuesday. Her cause of death was not known. 

“I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,” Kailia’s mother wrote Marcy Posey Gatterman wrote on Facebook alongside a photo of her daughter.

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Kailia was a star on the show, which ran from 2009 to 2013 and featured families who prepared their kids to take part in beauty pageants.

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She appeared on the show alongside her mother, who trained her to be a contortionist.

“When Kailia was younger, when she was 3, she started doing pageants. She’s a pro when she hits that stage, she’ll say she’s nervous but once she hits that stage she’s a pro. She’s gonna beat you, every time,” her mother said in one of the episodes.

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“Kailia has a very good talent. I mean, just completely amazing. I don’t know anybody that’s competition for Kailia,” she continued. 

On April 23, Kailia celebrated her 16th birthday and took to Instagram to post pictures from the celebrations. 

Following her death, several of her fans took to social media to offer condolences.

“Im so saddened to learn that the beautiful kailia posey passed away today 🙁 i have admired this girl since she was 6 and i swore she would be the next miss usa or miss universe. Rest easy Kai,” one person wrote. 

“Wow I remember watching her when I was younger. I was cheering for Kayla to win but Kailia ended up winning,” another person commented.