TV and Movies

[KingstonsMom]

My comment: I really enjoyed her on the show and 29 is so young (not that any cancer at any age is not horrific).

RIP strong lady.

"Top Chef" alumna Fatima Ali has died at the age of 29.

“We are deeply saddened to share the news that Fatima Ali has lost her courageous battle with cancer," Bravo told USA TODAY in a statement. "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time."

The network continued, "People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart. We hope that the beautiful memories shared with her will provide comfort to everyone who knew and loved her.”

Ali was diagnosed last year with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma, shortly after competing on Season 15 of "Top Chef" in Colorado. Ali finished seventh on the cooking reality competition and was voted fan favorite. 

The New York City chef underwent chemotherapy and surgery in January 2018 to remove a tumor from her shoulder bone, with "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi by her side. By summer, she told People she was "technically cancer-free."

"Top Chef" star Fatima Ali has died at age 29. (Photo: Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

But in October, Ali revealed in an emotional essay that her cancer has returned "with a vengeance." Ali said doctors told her diagnosis was untreatable and terminal. She was told she only had a year to live.

She said at the time that she suspected "I won’t last very long."

"They think I’m brave, but really, I’m not. I’m scared," Ali wrote. "There’s a faint feeling deep inside my gut like a rumble of passing air, ever expanding and filling slowly until, one day, I’ll pop."

But Ali also said she had come to terms with her terminal diagnosis: "An odd sense of relief has settled inside me, knowing that I can finally live for myself, even if it’s just for a few more precious months."

Her last post on Instagram was January 10. Ali acknowledged it had been "ages" since she had posted "and most may have figured out why," she wrote. "I’m sick and unfortunately I’m getting sicker. Right now all I need are prayers; prayers that are simple."

Her TV family took to social media to grieve.

"Goodbye lil’ sis," Lakshmi wrote in a Twitter video tribute set to Carole King's "So Far Away" late Friday, after announcing that "due to personal reasons" she was canceling a planned Facebook Live session.

Lakshmi wrote: "One of our brightest stars has fallen from the sky.... I have no words, but here are some of hers: 'I dream of being better. I dream of being myself again, but

I know I’ll never quite be the same, and that’s okay. I look forward to meeting that woman one day.'”

"So sad to hear of Fati’s passing," tweeted Tom Colicchio Friday. 

Fellow "Top Chef" star Bruce Kalman shared a tribute on Instagram. "It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer," he wrote. "I will miss you Fati, and you will be in my heart forever. I’ll always remember the great times we had, especially our interview during the tailgating episode discussing football, stadiums, and Taylor Swift. Much love, Bruce."

Ali's family also paid tribute to her in an Instagram post to her account late Friday, which revealed the chef was at home surrounded by her loved ones when she passed.

"When someone as bright and young and vivacious as our Fati passes, the only metaphor that seems to fit is that of a star—a beacon in the darkness, a light that guides us, on which to make wishes, from which to weave dreams," the post read."For all the comfort and beauty they offer us, stars, too, are impermanent. This morning a great one was snuffed out."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/01/25/top-chef-star-fatima-ali-dead-29/2681570002/

[on the bay]

So incredibly sad!

[Drythe]

Thank you for the notice.

A beautiful, creative, vivacious woman.  Will miss her.

Peace.

[GCR18]

I saw this on the news yesterday.  It is really sad.  

[threecees]

I am not familiar with her but what a beautiful young girl. So sad.

[OKPrincess]

Thanks for posting. She’s a beautiful woman even though I never watched the program.

[annespan]

So sad to hear this!  I remember watching Season 15 and thinking how resfreshing it was to see chefs that actually liked and respected each other.  I noticed that Fati was much liked by everyone and she seemed like a lovely unifying force.  Condolences to her family on this terrible loss.  

[mousiegirl]

Beyond sad.  I watched her on Top Chef and on Chopped, and always liked the person she seemed to be.

[BeccaLou]

R.I.P. Litlle darlin.

[meallen616]

So sad,

Fatima Ali,