Singer Jane Marczewski, who is known by her stage name Nightbirde, has passed away after a years-long battle with cancer. She was 31 years old.
Jane’s family shared the heartbreaking news in a statement to TODAY:
“We, her family, are devastated by her passing and unimaginable loss.
Those who knew her enjoyed her larger-than-life personality and sense of humor. She had a witty joke for every occasion — even if the joke was on her.”
Nightbirde gained fame when she appeared on America’s Got Talent in season 16 and earned the Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell during the second night of auditions. She sang an original song, which was titled “It’s Okay.”
She revealed on stage that evening that she was fighting cancer, and said that she had been given a two percent chance of survival.
Nightbirde amazed the judges with her uplifting, beautiful song, which was about the past year of her life. She sang about her health battle and the realization that it is important for everyone to know that “we’re so much more than the bad things that happen to us.”
She was unable to continue, withdrawing from the competition to focus on her health and her fight to beat her disease. On August 2, she wrote on Instagram:
“Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honor and a dream come true. My point of view this summer has been astounding. What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider.
Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention. I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT. Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it—but we knew that already.
Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me. Stay with me, I’ll be better soon. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”
Nightbirde’s last social media post was on January 11, when she shared a smiling selfie and wrote:
“Honestly, things have been pretty brutal. But this is a photo of myself from last week where I felt pretty, and alive, and awake, and human, and real. I needed that.
We’re all a little lost and it’s alright.”
Our thoughts go out to her family and loved ones. Soar high, Nightbirde.
Photo credit: @_nightbirde/Instagram
