The Voice Kids star Karen Silva star dies at 17 as former finalist following stroke
Former The Voice Kids semi-finalist Karen Silva has tragically died at the age of 17 after suffering a haemorrhagic stroke.
The young singer passed away at approximately 5am on Thursday morning after spending several days in hospital.
Her death was caused by bleeding in the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel.
Silva died at São João Batista Hospital in Volta Redonda, northwest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
She had been hospitalised for several days before her untimely death.
A statement was shared on her official Instagram account expressing deep sadness at her passing.
Silva rose to fame after reaching the semi-finals of The Voice Kids in 2020 when she was just 12 years old.
She captivated audiences with her powerful voice and stage presence during the competition.
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Her musical journey began at the age of eight when she started taking singing lessons.
Her first vocal coach, Lana Netto, recalled how Karen’s voice immediately stood out.
She quickly enchanted everyone with her singing talent.
The young performer had been building her career since her appearance on the show five years ago.
A spokesperson for Silva said: “More than just a promising artist, Karen was a symbol of empowerment. Especially for young black girls who found in her an inspiration and the strength to dream.”
They added: “Her music, her message, and her joy leave a lasting mark on all who knew her and followed her journey.”
A post on her Instagram account described her as a source of empowerment, particularly for Black girls who saw her as an inspiration.
“Her music, her message, and her joy leave a deep mark on all who met her,” the statement read.
Earlier in the week, a post had revealed she was under medical care.
Speaking of the tragedy, her father Sérgio da Silva told local media that the singer hadn’t shown any signs of illness before her stroke.
“She left home to have lunch on Friday, and three hours later she was in a coma,” he said.
Her father added: “For this year, 2025, we had big plans. For her, her clothing brand, new songs for her album.”
“To know my daughter passed like this, it hurts so much. It still hasn’t sunk in.”
The family had asked for privacy during this difficult time.
They had indicated that further updates would be provided through official channels.
Silva is survived by her parents, Manoella and Fernando, and her boyfriend, Marcelo.
Her family has been left in “great pain” following her sudden death.
A post shared on Instagram earlier in the week had revealed she was receiving support from her family and team.
Karen had been facing health issues before her death, according to social media updates.
Her family had been by her side during her hospitalisation.
The young singer had been developing her own clothing brand alongside her musical career.
She had also been working on new songs for an upcoming album prior to her tragic passing.