Andy Cohen, the Cast of ‘Top Chef,’ More Celebs React to Fatima Ali’s Death: Read Their Heartfelt Posts

Credit: Courtesy Fatima Ali/Instagram

Andy Cohen, the Cast of 'Top Chef,' More Celebs React to Fatima Ali's Death: Read Their Heartfelt Posts

Paying tribute to one of their own. Bravo star Andy Cohen and season 15 Top Chef winner Joseph Flamm reacted to news of Fatima Ali’s death on Friday, January 25, as did many more of show’s contestants, including Chris Scott, Tyler Anderson and Tanya Holland. [ami-related id="1412699" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/celebrity-deaths-of-2019-stars-weve-lost/" title="Celebrity Deaths of 2019" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Roxette-Marie-Fredriksson-Death.jpg"] The Top Chef fan favorite died at the age of 29 after a long-fought battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, a terminal cancer of the bone and soft tissue. The production’s cast, including Flamm, Anderson, Holland, Scott, Bruce Kalman, Adrienne Cheatham, Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins, Carrie Baird, Rogelio Garcia, Tu David Phu, show runner-up Joe Sasto, Melissa Perfit and Laura Cole, reunited at Ali’s bedside in L.A. on January 13. The network released a statement on Friday via Twitter: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Fatima Ali lost her courageous battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart.” Scroll through to read the rest of the cast’s touching messages for their late friend.

Credit: Courtesy Fatima Ali/Instagram

Andy Cohen, the Cast of 'Top Chef,' More Celebs React to Fatima Ali's Death: Read Their Heartfelt Posts

Paying tribute to one of their own. Bravo star Andy Cohen and season 15 Top Chef winner Joseph Flamm reacted to news of Fatima Ali’s death on Friday, January 25, as did many more of show’s contestants, including Chris Scott, Tyler Anderson and Tanya Holland. [ami-related id="1412699" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/celebrity-deaths-of-2019-stars-weve-lost/" title="Celebrity Deaths of 2019" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Roxette-Marie-Fredriksson-Death.jpg"] The Top Chef fan favorite died at the age of 29 after a long-fought battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, a terminal cancer of the bone and soft tissue. The production’s cast, including Flamm, Anderson, Holland, Scott, Bruce Kalman, Adrienne Cheatham, Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins, Carrie Baird, Rogelio Garcia, Tu David Phu, show runner-up Joe Sasto, Melissa Perfit and Laura Cole, reunited at Ali’s bedside in L.A. on January 13. The network released a statement on Friday via Twitter: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Fatima Ali lost her courageous battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart.” Scroll through to read the rest of the cast’s touching messages for their late friend.

Credit: Courtesy Bruce Kalman/Instagram

Bruce Kalman

The L.A.-based chef, who competed against Ali on season 15 of the hit Bravo series, was the one to break the news of her death. “It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer,” he wrote on Instagram on Friday, January 25. “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 😘 #f--kcancer #chef"

Credit: Rob Kim/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Andy Cohen

The talk show host gave his condolences over Ali's death on Friday, tweeting, “This is very sad news. What a lovely woman.”

Credit: Courtesy Padma Lakshmi/Instagram

Padma Lakshmi

Lakshmi announced on Twitter and Instagram on Friday that she would be canceling her scheduled Facebook Live stream due to “personal reasons.” 
She later shared a heartwarming video collage of herself with Ali on Instagram, writing, "Goodbye lil’ sis. 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 know I’ll be different, and, despite the worry that settles into me every time I wake up, I look forward to meeting that woman one day.'”

Credit: Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Chris Scott

Top Chef alum Scott remembered Ali with a video of the young reality star joining a singalong of Styx’s “Come Sail Away” on Instagram on Friday. “I will miss you Fatima,” he wrote. “Thank you for all the laughter, showing me some delicious food, but most of all your friendship. I know you're somewhere singing with the angels. Love you.”

Credit: Courtesy Tyler Anderson/Instagram

Tyler Anderson

Anderson, a five-time James Beard-nominated cook, shared a sweet photo on Instagram on Friday of himself touching heads with Ali, who had by then lost her hair from chemo. “You will be forever missed my friend. You brought so much joy to those around you. #ripfatima.”

Credit: Courtesy Tanya Holland/Instagram

Tanya Holland

The Brown Sugar Kitchen owner and executive chef posted a smiling selfie with her former competitor on Instagram on Friday. “I had so many laughs with this beautiful young brown woman! Despite her youth, there was an innate knowing, a maturity, worldliness and sophistication that I deeply appreciated. She was compassionate and empathetic,” Holland shared. “These qualities made her ambition and drive so authentic. We were soul sisters. I will miss you dearly @cheffati Do your work on the other side! Much love to your family! We will all carry on your legacy.”

Credit: Courtesy David Phiu/Instagram

Tu David Phu

Vietnamese chef Phu mourned the loss of his friend with a heartfelt message on Instagram on Friday. “I’m struggling to accept your passing,” his note read. “You had so much more to offer. However, there’s one thing I know for sure #god now has another #angel. You are truly an #inspiration. Your strength has taught me so much.”

Credit: Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Adrienne Cheatham

Cheatham revealed that she was in pain over the news, writing on Instagram on Friday, “My heart is broken. Thank you for shining your light and sharing your love and beautiful spirit with all of us."

Credit: Courtesy Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins/Instagram

Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins

The TV personality shared the memories of Ali she’ll hold nearest, writing on Instagram hours after the news broke: “My dearest Fatima, this is how I will remember you til my time on earth is done. I will remember the hours on end we spent in the kid pool (the damn scratches) or the hot tub playing Never Have I Ever. Hearing you talk about your mom with so much love and wishing my kids would speak the same of me one day. Falling asleep talking about life/boys/ dreams. Sweet dreams our Pakistaní princess, the pain is over.” 

Credit: Courtesy Brother Luck/Instagram

Brother Luck

“My heart is heavy today with news of the beautiful @cheffatipassing away from her battle with cancer this morning,” the Bravo star wrote on Instagram following news of his friend’s passing. “I’m at a loss right now of how much this sucks but grateful she’s no longer in pain. God is gaining another angel today and heaven will be full of laughter upon her arrival. She was a queen who carried a heart of gold and my prayers go out to her family. I’m so grateful for the time spent with her and memories we shared. Please cherish the time you have with someone because tomorrow isn’t promised for anyone.”

Credit: Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Rogelio Garcia

Garcia shared a collage of snaps from time spent with Ali via Instagram on Friday. “She was beautiful inside and out. We will miss you forever. I’m honored that we crossed paths in this world. Thank you for sharing your story we love you." 

Credit: Courtesy Laura Cole/Instagram

Laura Cole

“Fati.... always such a brilliant raw star... never have I ever...” the Top Chef alum wrote in an Instagram caption on Friday. “You will be forever an inspiration... thank you for being you.”

Credit: Courtesy Joe Flamm/Instagram

Joseph Flamm

The Top Chef season 15 winner thanked Ali for the gift of her friendship. “My heart is so broken today, thanks for gracing my life, meeting my son, being my friend, and letting me into your incredible existence, I’ll miss you more than you can know,” he wrote on Instagram after the news made headlines. “Until I see you again, I’ll keep a bottle of whiskey and a coffee cup ready for you.”