Gone too soon. A young girl named Jalene Salinas, who became famous for a sweet final moment she had with Taylor Swift, has reportedly passed away at the age of 4.
According to local Texas news outlets, the little girl died on Sunday, March 15, after her tragic battle with terminal brain cancer. The late Texan had her brush with Swift earlier this month as she checked the final items off of her bucket list.
Just weeks before her untimely death, Salinas got the chance to FaceTime with the pop star, 25. The hashtag #ShakeItOffJalene took off on Twitter once supporters learned that one of the little girl’s last wishes was to dance with Swift to her hit single "Shake It Off."
The social media campaign got the attention of the Grammy winner, who took the time to spend 20 minutes on the phone with the ailing child.
"I'm so sorry you're having a bad night, I'm so happy to talk to you though and I'm so happy you like ‘Shake it Off'" Swift said in her taped conversation with Salinas, who was in pain at the time of the chat. "You look beautiful tonight, you really do. You're just as pretty as your pictures."
Swift also sent the little girl a package of presents, including signed merchandise and albums of her music.
Salinas, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor when she was just 3 years old, was celebrated by fans and supporters on her "Jalene's Journey" Facebook page, which offered updates on the girl's condition. On Monday morning, the page's author confirmed that Salinas had passed away.
"On March 15, 2015, Jalene gained her beautiful angel wings," a statement on the Facebook page reads. "She fought all the way to the end. She beat Cancer defying the hours and days we were told. She went to be with our Lord in his time. Jalene was a true princess… [and she] loved her siblings and at the end she was waiting for her little brother to say goodbye before taking her last breath."
"Thank you for being a part of her journey," the statement continued. "This is not over because Jalene Will live on in the heart of everyone. We will continue to spread her kind hearted nature. Her ability to care for others. Please in Jalene's name today especially but always spread her smile to the ones that don't have a smile on their face. Her legacy will continue always and forever…."
